Solo Tone

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tears for Fears

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGordon Smith GS1 (custom, as played by Neil Taylor on the studio recording)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsGordon Smith humbucker (bridge position, likely custom-wound, passive)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass5

mid6

treble6.5

reverb5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, possibly rack or Roland Dimension D)

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. Neil Taylor played the outro/solo section. Guitar is confirmed as a Gordon Smith GS1 (custom) into a Roland JC-120. The JC-120 is a solid-state amp with built-in chorus and reverb. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio solo. Some sources mention Stratocaster for rhythm parts, but solo is confirmed as Gordon Smith. Effects are primarily rack or pedal-based, not amp distortion.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothsinging sustainwide vibratospacious, washy reverbmodulation movement and widthbright and articulate attackdarker, warmer solo tonestereo chorus shimmercrunchy overdrivepolished studio clarity

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced control of vibrato, bends, and phrasing, as well as sensitivity to effects timing and sustain. While not technically fast, the expressive requirements and integration with effects make it moderately challenging.