Riff Tone

I Ran (So Far Away)

A Flock of Seagulls

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (black, maple neck, likely stock pickups for 1982 studio recording)

AmpUnknown solid-state or clean amp (likely Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 or similar, as was common for 1980s new wave clean tones, but no direct source confirmation for the studio recording)

PickupsSingle-coil (likely Fender stock single-coils, possibly Lace Sensor Red/Silver/Blue set, but evidence for Lace Sensors is only from later live footage)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5

mid5

treble7.5

reverb6.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, tape or analog style)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely analog chorus)

Notes

Studio recording, 1982. Guitarist Paul Reynolds. No direct confirmation of amp model or pedal brand/model for the studio recording. Most sources reference the Stratocaster and heavy use of delay and modulation effects for the clean riff. Live footage sometimes shows different pickup sets, but the studio recording likely used stock single-coils.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglymodulated delay shimmerclean and processedpseudo-doubling effectcrisp attackchorus-like modulationspacious and echoingarticulate single notespercussive pickingglassy Stratocaster quack

Difficulty

The riff is not technically complex but requires tight rhythmic accuracy to sync with the delay repeats, clean picking, and careful control of effects for the signature sound.

Sources

Paul Reynolds | Equipboard 11-20 - The greatest delay moments of all time: 25 classic guitar tracks elevated by echo - Page 2 | Guitar World A Flock of Seagulls- I Ran So Far Away (Guitar Cover) by vanzos 4K ...[QUESTION] Best setup to play I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls : r/Guitar

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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