Riff Tone

Love Will Tear Us Apart (2020 Remaster)

Joy Division

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarEko Ranger 12 (12-string acoustic, Italian-made, used by Bernard Sumner on studio recording)

AmpMarshall amplifier (exact model unknown, likely JMP or similar late-70s/early-80s model, used in studio for electric parts; acoustic likely direct or mic'd)

PickupsPiezo (acoustic, likely built-in or mic'd, no electric pickups)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1979-1980. Main riff is played on Eko Ranger 12-string acoustic by Bernard Sumner. Some sources suggest possible layering with Shergold Masquerader or Gibson SG Standard into Marshall amp, but Eko Ranger 12 is the primary guitar for the riff. No evidence of electric guitar for main riff in studio version.

Tone Character(10)

jangly and brightshimmering high endopen and airypercussive strummingclean and uncompressedarticulate attackslight natural reverbfull chord ringingurgent and drivingno audible distortion

Difficulty

The riff consists of straightforward, repetitive strumming of a single chord (D major) on a 12-string acoustic, with no intricate fingerwork or advanced techniques required. The main challenge is maintaining steady rhythm and even dynamics.

Sources

Eko Ranger 12 - What To Know & Where To Buy Bernard Sumner Every time I hear Love Will Tear Us Apart, I grit my teeth ...

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