Song Rig
Blue Matter
John Scofield · Blue Matter · 1987
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Groovy and mid-range focused — Scofield with Miles Davis alumni producing a deep funk-jazz sound. The tone is slightly more distorted than his acoustic-leaning jazz work but far short of rock guitar levels. It sits perfectly in the ensemble without needing EQ fixes in the mix.
Signal Chain
- 1Ibanez AS200
- 2Mesa Boogie Mark III (at moderate gain)
Amp Settings
The Mesa Boogie's natural compression at moderate gain suits Scofield's dynamics. His characteristic mid-heavy eq setting is most pronounced on this record.
Technique
How to Play It
Chord-melody with single-string funk runs alternating — Scofield composes guitar parts where rhythm and lead are blurred rather than discrete.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Semi-hollow or ES-335 → Mesa Boogie Express or Blues Junior → roll guitar tone control to 7. The key is the mid-forward amp response.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
More from John Scofield
Other Song Rigs
Still Warm
Still Warm · 1986
Scofield's most critically acclaimed solo album — the title track presents his e…
View rig →Not You Again
Uberjam · 2002
The Uberjam era Scofield — his most overtly funk and loop-based recording, where…
View rig →Wabash III A.M.
Loud Jazz · 1987
The Loud Jazz album's most atmospheric track — Scofield's blues and country infl…
View rig →Chank
Überjam · 2002
Funky and gritty with an overdriven semi-hollow character — Scofield's Ibanez AS…
View rig →I'll Say We're Done
A Go Go · 1998
Modern soul-funk with controlled crunch — the A Go Go album (with Medeski Martin…
View rig →