Solo Tone

Boys Don't Cry (Single Version)

The Cure

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson ES-175 (single pickup, black, as seen in official music video and period photos)

AmpRoland Jazz Chorus JC-120

PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil (neck position, likely original spec for ES-175 of this era)

Amp Settings

gain1.5

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb2.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 1979 (Three Imaginary Boys sessions). Gear confirmed by period video and multiple gear sources. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the solo section. Effects are all pedal-based; JC-120 used for its signature clean sound and stereo chorus. Pickup selector: neck position (single pickup model).

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglyarticulate and clearmodulation shimmer (chorus/flanger)tight and percussive attackminimal breakup (very clean)slightly scooped midsairy and opendistinct note separationsubtle stereo widthcrisp high end

Difficulty

The solo requires fast alternate picking and precise muting to maintain clarity at a brisk tempo, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex phrasing.

Sources

Boys Don't Cry Riff Tone Settings | The Cure | TonesMatch Boys Don't Cry Guitar Tone Settings — The Cure | ToneMirror

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