Riff Tone

Just Like Heaven

The Cure

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Bass VI

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsFender single-coil (Bass VI stock pickups)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb4

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 1987. The main riff is played on a Fender Bass VI through a Roland JC-120. There is also a double-tracked 12-string acoustic underneath, but the electric part is the focus for the riff. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and shimmerylush modulationarticulate and melodicclean and glassychorus-ladenclear note separationjangly attackstereo spaciousnessslightly compresseddelicate and dreamy

Difficulty

The riff is not technically demanding in terms of speed or advanced techniques, but requires precise picking, clean note separation, and tight timing with modulation effects for the signature sound.

Sources

How to get that specific 'The Cure/The Smiths' guitar tone Quintessential Rock Rigs by Decade - Premier Guitar For all The Cure fans! : r/guitarpedals Guitar effect on The Cure's 'Just like heaven' intro - Reddit The Cure's Just Like Heaven intro guitar effect? [DISCUSSION]

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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