Riff Tone
Barbarism Begins at Home
The Smiths
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Rickenbacker 330
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single coils
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal)
Notes
Studio recording, 1984-1985 era. Guitar confirmed by Equipboard and period photos/interviews. JC-120 is the most cited amp for Marr's clean, chorus-heavy tones on Meat Is Murder. No evidence of Les Paul or other guitars on the original studio riff section; Rickenbacker 330 is most likely for this track and era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassychorus shimmerpercussive and funkyarticulate single notessnappy attackclear note separationhigh-end sparkletight, rhythmic playingclean and undistortedslightly compressed
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive funk rhythm playing with precise muting and articulation, as well as complex chord shapes and fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Rickenbacker 330
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single coils
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal)
Notes
Studio recording, 1984-1985 era. Guitar confirmed by Equipboard and period photos/interviews. JC-120 is the most cited amp for Marr's clean, chorus-heavy tones on Meat Is Murder. No evidence of Les Paul or other guitars on the original studio riff section; Rickenbacker 330 is most likely for this track and era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassychorus shimmerpercussive and funkyarticulate single notessnappy attackclear note separationhigh-end sparkletight, rhythmic playingclean and undistortedslightly compressed
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive funk rhythm playing with precise muting and articulation, as well as complex chord shapes and fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
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- Back to the Old House · solo
- Back to the Old House (2011 Remaster) · riff
- Barbarism Begins at Home · solo
- Bigmouth Strikes Again · riff
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