Riff Tone

I Want the One I Can't Have

The Smiths

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard

AmpFender Twin Reverb (Silverface, quartet used for re-amping in studio)

PickupsSeymour Duncan humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7.5

reverb4

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. Marr used the 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard with Seymour Duncan humbuckers for the riff on 'I Want the One I Can't Have' (per MusicRadar). The tracks were re-amped through four Fender Twin Reverbs at high volume in the studio. No evidence of live-specific gear for this song's riff section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglyarticulate and openslightly compressed attackclear note separationchiming highsfull-bodied midrangetight, focused lowsmodest amp breakupdynamic and responsivesparkling top end

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, need for clean articulation, and dynamic picking to maintain clarity and jangle typical of Marr's style.

Sources

In pictures: Johnny Marr's gear collection | MusicRadar Johnny Marr's Guitars, Amps, Pedals & Other Gear | Equipboard

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