Riff Tone

A Forest

The Cure

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Jazzmaster (likely 1970s model, as used by Robert Smith in 1979-1980 studio era)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsFender Jazzmaster single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb4.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

chorusBoss Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

delayElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man

Notes

Studio recording, 1980 (Seventeen Seconds album). Gear confirmed for this era; live rigs may differ. Pedals listed are based on studio-era evidence and audio analysis.

Tone Character(10)

lush and atmosphericcrystalline cleanswirling modulationshimmering highsspacious and reverberantclear note separationhaunting and etherealmodulation-rich texturebright and glassyminimal drive, no crunch

Difficulty

The riff requires tight timing and clean picking to maintain clarity through heavy modulation and delay, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.

Sources

How To Sound Like The Cure | Potent Pairings The 50 greatest guitar effects moments of all time | Guitar World

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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