The “Analog Purist” has gone digital. In what is being hailed as the most significant gear launch of the modern era, Neural DSP has officially partnered with Grammy-winner John Mayer to release Archetype: John Mayer X.
This landmark plugin brings the world’s most coveted (and expensive) guitar tones—including the legendary Dumble Steel String Singer and the Klon Centaur—to the digital workstation of every guitar player.
A Watershed Moment for Guitar Technology
For years, John Mayer has been the “final boss” of analog tone. His rig is a museum of boutique excellence, featuring multi-thousand-dollar vintage Fender Vibroverbs, Two Rocks, and the mythical Dumble.
For Mayer to put his name on a plugin isn’t just a product launch; it’s a watershed moment for modeling technology. It signals to analog loyalists that digital software has finally reached a level of touch-sensitivity and warmth capable of satisfying one of the most discerning ears in music history.
“If it’s good enough for John Mayer to use on stage… it’s good enough for basically any player.” — François Barrillon, Neural DSP Product Manager
Inside the Rig: Amps and Cabinets
The Archetype: John Mayer X is built around the three pillars of Mayer’s “Big Clean” sound. Users can access three distinct models or use the Three-In-One amp feature to blend them exactly as Mayer does in his stadium touring rig.
The Amp Models:
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1964 Fender Vibroverb: The heart of his “SRV-inspired” snap and low-end.
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Dumble Steel String Singer #002: Capturing the ultra-rare, high-headroom “glassy” tone.
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Two Rock Signature #83: The boutique evolution of the modern Mayer sound.
Each amp comes paired with meticulously captured cabinets, including a 15” CTS speaker and Celestion G12M Greenbacks, ensuring the air and resonance of his physical cabs are preserved.
The Virtual Pedalboard: From “Blackbird” to “Sob Rock”
Neural DSP hasn’t just modeled the amps; they’ve recreated Mayer’s indispensable signal chain. The plugin features five essential pedals that have defined his career:
| Pedal Name | Based On | Key Function |
| Justa Boost | Keeley Katana | Always-on clean boost/compression |
| Halfman OD | Klon Centaur | The “Holy Grail” of transparent overdrive |
| Tealbreaker | TS-10 / Bluesbreaker | The dual-drive secret to his lead tone |
| Antelope Filter | EHX Q-Tron | Essential for I Don’t Trust Myself |
| Millipede Delay | Way Huge Aqua Puss | Vintage-style analog slapback |
Dream Delay
Additionally, the suite includes the Dream Delay (based on the Providence Chrono-Delay), a dedicated EQ, and a refined User Interface designed specifically at Mayer’s request for better workflow.
Developed in the Studio, Proven on Stage
The collaboration began in 2022 and saw the Neural DSP team transport their modeling equipment from Finland directly to Mayer’s personal studio. The result was so accurate that Mayer reportedly sent the team a video of himself playing the Slow Dancing in a Burning Room solo through a prototype, noting it sounded “just like the record.”
The plugin has already seen real-world action, making its debut during a Life with John Mayer radio broadcast.
Pricing and Availability
Archetype: John Mayer X is fully Quad Cortex compatible, allowing users to take these world-class tones from the studio to the stage.
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Europe/UK: €199 (VAT included)
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US/International: €169 (plus local taxes)
More Information
The plugin is available for download now at NeuralDSP.com.
#Neural DSP #John Mayer
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