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Riff Tone

Boys Don't Cry (Single Version)

The Cure

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (late 1970s, likely CBS-era, maple neck)

AmpRoland Jazz Chorus JC-120

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock, late 1970s Stratocaster)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb2.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 1979 single version. Guitar and amp confirmed by multiple sources for this era and song. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Effects primarily from pedals, not amp.

Tone Character(9)

bright and janglycrisp attackslightly gritty crunchmodulated shimmerarticulate single-coil claritytight and percussivedynamic, punchy rhythmchorus/flanger swirldistinctive post-punk snap

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, steady downstrokes and precise timing to maintain the song's driving rhythm, but uses basic chord shapes and no advanced techniques.

Sources

Boys Don't Cry Guitar Lesson | The Cure How to Sound Like the Cure on Guitar : r/TheCure For early Cure guitar sound is a 'Bf-2 Flanger' the way to go? - Reddit how can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals

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Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (late 1970s, likely CBS-era, maple neck)

AmpRoland Jazz Chorus JC-120

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock, late 1970s Stratocaster)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb2.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

Sources

Boys Don't Cry Guitar Lesson | The Cure How to Sound Like the Cure on Guitar : r/TheCure For early Cure guitar sound is a 'Bf-2 Flanger' the way to go? - Reddit how can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals

Notes

Studio recording, 1979 single version. Guitar and amp confirmed by multiple sources for this era and song. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Effects primarily from pedals, not amp.

Tone Character(9)

bright and janglycrisp attackslightly gritty crunchmodulated shimmerarticulate single-coil claritytight and percussivedynamic, punchy rhythmchorus/flanger swirldistinctive post-punk snap

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, steady downstrokes and precise timing to maintain the song's driving rhythm, but uses basic chord shapes and no advanced techniques.

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Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) by The Cure — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt