Riff Tone

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tears for Fears

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsFender single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain4

bass5

mid6

treble7.5

reverb5.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusRoland/Boss Chorus pedal (Roland Dimension D or Boss CE-3, model uncertain)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. The riff section uses a Stratocaster with single-coils into a Roland JC-120. Sources confirm this was the setup for the main rhythm/riff parts, with chorus added for width. No evidence of distortion pedals or amp overdrive for the riff; the JC-120 is a clean solid-state amp, but the user requested the most driven/distorted section, so settings are estimated for maximum breakup possible from this rig. Chorus is always on. Studio context.

Tone Character(10)

clean but slightly edgybright and articulatetight and controlled rhythmchorus shimmerspacious and washy reverbpercussive attackcrisp high-endstereo widthsubtle warmth from single-coilsclear note separation

Difficulty

The riff requires accurate rhythmic strumming and muting to maintain clarity with chorus and reverb effects, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast passages.

Sources

How Tears For Fears Created "Everybody Wants To Rule The World"Anyone know what Tears For Fears used for amps/effects?

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