Riff Tone
Burn
The Cure
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarSchecter UltraCure VI (Robert Smith signature, likely standard UltraCure for riff section)
AmpVox AC30 (studio recording, 1993-94 era, based on Robert Smith's known studio amps for this period)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Jaguar single-coils (UltraCure VI), likely standard UltraCure with Duncan Designed HB-102 humbuckers for main riff
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal)
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger (or similar flanger pedal)
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, medium gain)
Notes
Studio recording, 1993-94. Robert Smith used the Schecter UltraCure (or UltraCure VI for lower parts), with Boss pedals and Vox AC30 amps in the studio. No evidence of live/touring gear or other amp models for this recording. Pickup type inferred from signature model and era.
Tone Character(10)
shimmery modulationbright and articulatemedium overdrive edgeclear note separationlush chorus/flanger movementslightly compressed attackambient but not washed outtight low endsubtle reverbdistinct Cure shimmer
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, the need for precise picking to maintain clarity with modulation effects, and clean articulation to preserve the song's signature shimmer.
Sources
how can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals - RedditThis is all you need to sound like Robert Smith. : r/TheCure - Reddit“Each instrument comes with a custom hardshell case, a signed COA from Robert Smith and directly supports life-saving cancer research”: Schecter and the Cure’s Robert Smith join forces for charity with the release of the Shellflower UltraCure | MusicRadar
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarSchecter UltraCure VI (Robert Smith signature, likely standard UltraCure for riff section)
AmpVox AC30 (studio recording, 1993-94 era, based on Robert Smith's known studio amps for this period)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Jaguar single-coils (UltraCure VI), likely standard UltraCure with Duncan Designed HB-102 humbuckers for main riff
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal)
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger (or similar flanger pedal)
overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, medium gain)
Sources
how can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals - RedditThis is all you need to sound like Robert Smith. : r/TheCure - Reddit“Each instrument comes with a custom hardshell case, a signed COA from Robert Smith and directly supports life-saving cancer research”: Schecter and the Cure’s Robert Smith join forces for charity with the release of the Shellflower UltraCure | MusicRadar
Notes
Studio recording, 1993-94. Robert Smith used the Schecter UltraCure (or UltraCure VI for lower parts), with Boss pedals and Vox AC30 amps in the studio. No evidence of live/touring gear or other amp models for this recording. Pickup type inferred from signature model and era.
Tone Character(10)
shimmery modulationbright and articulatemedium overdrive edgeclear note separationlush chorus/flanger movementslightly compressed attackambient but not washed outtight low endsubtle reverbdistinct Cure shimmer
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, the need for precise picking to maintain clarity with modulation effects, and clean articulation to preserve the song's signature shimmer.
More The Cure tones
- Boys Don't Cry · riff
- Just Like Heaven · riff
- A Forest · riff
- Boys Don't Cry · riff
- I Just Need Myself (PSI Studio Demo 1/78) · riff
- I Just Need Myself (PSI Studio Demo 1/78) · solo
- 10:15 Saturday Night · riff
- A Forest · riff
- A Forest · clean
- A Strange Day · riff