John Mayer's Tone: NeuralDSP Nails His Rig!

Guitarists today are truly spoiled for choice, especially those of us who’ve embraced computer-based amp modeling software. I’m a firm believer in the digital revolution for guitar, and I don’t miss the size, weight, deafening volume, or exorbitant cost of owning a collection of physical amps, cabinets, and pedals. I already have a wealth of options for clean to mid-gain tones, including fantastic offerings from NeuralDSP like Tone King, Cory Wong and Mateus Asato, PolychromeDSP’s Lumos, and Universal Audio’s Paradise Guitar Studio. While each has its own unique character, they all deliver record-ready tones remarkably close to the real thing – often incredibly expensive hardware – and provide a solid foundation of inspiring presets.

Do We Really Need Another Amp Sim?

With so many excellent options already available, does the market truly need another amp simulation package? NeuralDSP clearly thinks so, and the Finnish company recently released a major new offering: Archetype: John Mayer X. This isn’t simply modeling the *type* of gear Mayer uses; it’s modeling his actual hardware units, complete with his precise settings used both in the studio and live. It even includes presets designed by Mayer himself. But what does this software offer for players who aren’t aiming to replicate Mayer’s signature sound?

I spent several hours diving into Mayer X, and I was thoroughly impressed. NeuralDSP has built a reputation for high-gain metal amp sims in recent years, and I’ve often associated them with downtuned riffs. While I appreciate a good palm-muted chug as much as the next guitarist, it’s refreshing to see this level of attention given to more nuanced tones.

Inside the Archetype: John Mayer X

Mayer X models three of Mayer’s core amps: a 1964 Fender Vibroverb, a Dumble Steel String Singer #002, and a currently unreleased Two-Rock prototype. Each amp is paired with a meticulously modeled speaker cabinet, allowing you to position zero, one, or two microphones to sculpt the recorded sound and control the room tone. This is a standard feature within NeuralDSP’s “Archetypes” line, but Mayer X introduces a new “three-in-one amp” mode.

The Three-in-One Amp Mode

This innovative mode blends the sounds of all three amps simultaneously. According to NeuralDSP, it “merges all three amps and their matching cabinets with Mayer’s exact settings, mic placements, and EQ decisions, creating a unified, dimensional sound that reflects his full signal path without requiring individual amp balancing.” In this mode, each amp has a dedicated control knob, but you can also disable the blending and focus on a single amp, unlocking more detailed controls for that specific unit.

Gravity Tank: Reverb and Tremolo Combined

Another new addition is the “Gravity Tank” effect unit, which combines Mayer’s preferred spring reverb with the harmonic tremolo found in the Victoria Reverberato. It’s a fantastic-sounding effect. While I enjoy spring reverbs for their character, some can be overly “drippy.” This one strikes a perfect balance – it sounds like a spring reverb, but it’s subtle, spacious, and avoids sounding clangy or metallic. The tremolo, which can be synced to your DAW’s tempo, is equally impressive.

Beyond the Amps: Compression and EQ

Unlike many NeuralDSP plugins that place a compressor pedal at the front of the amp, Mayer X features a rack-mounted compressor (modeled after the renowned Distressor) positioned after the amp. The controls are simplified compared to a real Distressor, but NeuralDSP assures us that it utilizes “Mayer’s exact attack, release, and sidechain settings.” Users only need to adjust the Input and Output dials.

Above the compressor sits an EQ, but it’s not the typical multiband graphic EQ found in other NeuralDSP plugins. Instead, it’s a four-band semi-parametric EQ with knobs instead of sliders, complemented by high-pass and low-pass filters. This EQ is designed to “balance the naturally full low end of [Mayer’s] amplifiers.”

Pedalboard Essentials

Mayer X also includes a selection of effects pedals, five of which are placed before the amps. You’ll find a volume boost pedal specifically designed to enhance the tone of single-coil pickups, like those found on Fender Stratocasters or PRS Silver Sky guitars (the latter of which Mayer also helped design). There’s also an “antelope filter” providing an auto-wah effect; typically, I avoid these, but this one is surprisingly good and could easily find a place in my lead lines.

Drive Pedals: A Trio in Two

Two drive pedals cover a lot of ground, modeling the Klon Centaur, the Ibanez TS-10, and the Marshall Bluesbreaker MK1. That’s right – three classic effects units packed into two virtual pedals, thanks to a toggle switch offering two distinct tones.

Delay and Reverb

A bucket brigade delay is included for slapback echoes, while a separate post-amp effects section provides more traditional delay and reverb options (both hall and plate) for adding space and depth.

How Does It Compare?

While you won’t find this exact combination of gear and settings anywhere else, several other amp simulation suites, like Universal Audio’s Paradise Guitar Studio, offer similar “ballpark” options. (Paradise Guitar Studio also models a Klon Centaur and provides a range of boost and overdrive pedals, along with spring reverb and bucket brigade delays.)

Whether you *need* Mayer X depends on your existing gear and tonal goals. To me, the presets in Mayer X sound slightly more modern than Paradise Guitar Studio, which leans towards “classic” rock sounds from the ’60s to the ’90s. And Mayer X offers significantly more amps and effects than NeuralDSP’s Tone King, which I previously used for similar sounds.

One of the most appealing aspects of this package is its understated approach. The sounds aren’t “hyped” to sound over the top in standalone demos, which means they integrate beautifully into mixes. Reverb, delay, tremolo, boost, and drive are all subtle and judicious, as is the compression. Almost everything is usable if you play within the pop/blues/rock/funk spectrum. Even effects like freeze delay and the antelope filter – typically gimmicky to me – inspire genuine creativity. This is, of course, a matter of personal taste, but the entire Mayer X package offers tonal colors I would actually use in projects, rather than garish neons that sound impressive but are unlikely to fit into a song.

The Verdict

If you’re seeking Mayer’s signature smooth-but-full blues-inspired leads or his edge-of-breakup rhythm tones, John Mayer X is a compelling option. This doesn’t feel like a cash grab; the quality and variety are immediately apparent, especially in the new additions like the boost pedal, the antelope filter, the Gravity Tank, and the “three-in-one” amp.

To test its capabilities, I spent a couple of hours experimenting with presets and created this short demo featuring rhythm, double-tracked rhythm, filtered, overdriven rhythm, and delayed lead sounds. I even added a bassline (Mayer X includes a few bass-specific presets to get you started). Everything blended well together and with the bass/drum tracks in the mix, requiring only minor EQ and master bus processing.

Early feedback from Redditors has been overwhelmingly positive. “Absolutely blown away. Every single amp, mic, cab and pedal option is usable and sounds amazing,” wrote one user. Another commented, “I’m a mostly clean-to-slight-crunch player, and this is by FAR the most plug-in-and-get-great-sounds-out-of-it NDSP plugin for that style that I’ve tried.”

However, the increasing cost of these plugins is a valid concern. Universal Audio’s Paradise Guitar Studio is priced at $199, and John Mayer X currently costs €169 + tax (approximately $198 at current exchange rates), compared to NeuralDSP’s Misha Mansoor X at €125 ($146). Is the “X” in Archetype standing for “expensive”?

That’s a significant investment for a plugin, although it’s still far cheaper than acquiring the modeled hardware or a device like NeuralDSP’s Quad Cortex. (Those willing to wait may find Mayer X discounted during NeuralDSP’s biannual sales, often at 50% off.) And, undeniably, it sounds great.

If you suffer from gear acquisition syndrome (GAS), in both its physical and digital forms, these $150–$200 plugins can quickly add up. Buying four or five can represent a substantial expense! If you already have other clean to mid-gain amp sims that meet your needs, it might be wise to appreciate what you have rather than chasing incremental improvements with every new release. (A 14-day trial is available if you want to test Mayer X firsthand.)

But if you’re new to the amp sim market, have the budget for your hobby, or simply love Mayer’s tones, Mayer X is a fantastic starting point. Will you sound exactly like Mayer? Probably not – a significant portion of “tone” resides in the player’s technique – but you’ll gain a powerful creative toolkit for enhancing your own sound.

The key takeaway is that it’s an incredible time to be a guitarist. We’re blessed with choices, and those choices are constantly improving. GearTech continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, making professional-quality tones accessible to everyone.