Riff Tone
One Hundred Years
The Cure
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jazzmaster (likely 1970s/early 1980s model)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsFender Jazzmaster single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6
reverb2.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger
Notes
Studio recording, 1981-1982 for 'Pornography' album. Multiple sources confirm Jazzmaster and JC-120 as Robert Smith's main studio rig for this era. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
dark and atmosphericmodulated with subtle chorus and flangermedium overdrive with crunchy attacksharp, cutting high endslightly scooped midstight and repetitive riffingcold, clinical solid-state claritylush stereo spread from chorusslightly metallic edgebrooding, post-punk mood
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, repetitive picking and control over modulation effects to maintain the song's dark, swirling atmosphere. While not technically advanced, the mood and pedal interplay demand intermediate skill.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jazzmaster (likely 1970s/early 1980s model)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsFender Jazzmaster single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6
reverb2.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger
Notes
Studio recording, 1981-1982 for 'Pornography' album. Multiple sources confirm Jazzmaster and JC-120 as Robert Smith's main studio rig for this era. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
dark and atmosphericmodulated with subtle chorus and flangermedium overdrive with crunchy attacksharp, cutting high endslightly scooped midstight and repetitive riffingcold, clinical solid-state claritylush stereo spread from chorusslightly metallic edgebrooding, post-punk mood
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, repetitive picking and control over modulation effects to maintain the song's dark, swirling atmosphere. While not technically advanced, the mood and pedal interplay demand intermediate skill.
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