Guitar tone · rock

Tears for Fears guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 3 Tears for Fears songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Unknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505) into Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus.

Guitars Tears for Fears used

Unknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505)1 song
Tokai AST (Stratocaster-style, blue headstock, as seen in official music video and referenced in studio context)1 song
Gordon Smith GS1 (custom, as played by Neil Taylor on the studio recording)1 song
Roland Orzabal's Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, as seen in period photos and videos)1 song
Fender Stratocaster1 song

Amps Tears for Fears used

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus5 songs

5 Tears for Fears tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Everybody Wants to Rule the World · riff	Riff · clean	Tokai AST (Stratocaster-style, blue headstock, as seen in official music video and referenced in studio context)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	0
Everybody Wants to Rule the World · solo	Solo · distorted	Gordon Smith GS1 (custom, as played by Neil Taylor on the studio recording)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	5.5
Everybody Wants to Rule the World · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	4
Shout · riff	Riff · distorted	Roland Orzabal's Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, as seen in period photos and videos)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	4.5
Until I Drown · riff	Riff · distorted	Unknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505)	Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus	4.5

Tears for Fears songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

Get Tears for Fears's tone on your gear

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Tears for Fears use?

Across 3 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (5 songs).

What guitar did Tears for Fears use?

Most often: Unknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505) (1 song), Tokai AST (Stratocaster-style, blue headstock, as seen in official music video and referenced in studio context) (1 song), Gordon Smith GS1 (custom, as played by Neil Taylor on the studio recording) (1 song), Roland Orzabal's Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, as seen in period photos and videos) (1 song).

How do I get Tears for Fears's tone on my amp?

Open any Tears for Fears song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.