John Scofield

Chank

John Scofield · Überjam · 2002

What Makes This Sound Unique

Funky and gritty with an overdriven semi-hollow character — Scofield's Ibanez AS200 through a slightly overdriven amp produces the "Sco-tone" in its most upfront state. The note attack is sharp with a quick decay that keeps the groove from getting muddy.

  1. 1Ibanez AS200 semi-hollow (Super 80 pickups)
  2. 2Fender Vibrolux or Reverberocket (slightly overdriven)
  3. 3Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron envelope filter
Gain / Volume5
Bass5
Mid8
Treble7

Mid-heavy with slight amp breakup — Scofield's signature mid-forward EQ keeps his guitar cutting through dense funk arrangements. He rolls the tone control back on the guitar slightly.

How to Play It

Funk chord stabs mixed with bluesy single-note lines — Scofield brings a Strat-meets-jazz-guitar flexibility to funk playing that gives his rhythm parts a unique character.

Achievable With

Ibanez AS200 or ES-335 → Blues Junior at 60% volume → EHX Q-Tron or Boss AW-3 auto-wah → tone control on guitar rolled back 30%.

Adapt to My Amp

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 →

Blue Matter

Blue Matter · 1987

Groovy and mid-range focused — Scofield with Miles Davis alumni producing a deep

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 →
← All John Scofield SongsSound Like John ScofieldAmp Settings →