Riff Tone
Pictures of You
The Cure
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Bass VI (white, 1980s model)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (Bass VI stock configuration, likely all three pickups on)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb6.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger
delayBoss Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, Disintegration album (1989). Robert Smith played the main riff on a Fender Bass VI through a Roland JC-120 amp, using the amp's built-in chorus and likely Boss pedals for additional modulation. Evidence from Equipboard and multiple forum sources confirms this setup for the studio version.
Tone Character(10)
lush and spaciousshimmering modulationcrystal-clear articulationdeep, ambient reverbwide stereo imagewarm, rounded lowsbright, glassy highssubtle flanger movementethereal, dreamy textureno audible overdrive or crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, even arpeggios with precise timing and control over dynamics to maintain clarity with heavy modulation. The use of a Bass VI adds a slight challenge due to its longer scale and string spacing.
Sources
The Cure – Pictures of You - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single | EquipboardLooking for a tone similar to The Cure - Pictures of You : r/NeuralDSPDisintegration album gear? : r/TheCure - RedditFellow Guitarists: Is The Flanger Always Engaged? : r/TheCurehow can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals - Reddit
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Bass VI (white, 1980s model)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (Bass VI stock configuration, likely all three pickups on)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb6.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger
delayBoss Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Sources
The Cure – Pictures of You - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single | EquipboardLooking for a tone similar to The Cure - Pictures of You : r/NeuralDSPDisintegration album gear? : r/TheCure - RedditFellow Guitarists: Is The Flanger Always Engaged? : r/TheCurehow can I sound like the cure? : r/guitarpedals - Reddit
Notes
Studio recording, Disintegration album (1989). Robert Smith played the main riff on a Fender Bass VI through a Roland JC-120 amp, using the amp's built-in chorus and likely Boss pedals for additional modulation. Evidence from Equipboard and multiple forum sources confirms this setup for the studio version.
Tone Character(10)
lush and spaciousshimmering modulationcrystal-clear articulationdeep, ambient reverbwide stereo imagewarm, rounded lowsbright, glassy highssubtle flanger movementethereal, dreamy textureno audible overdrive or crunch
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, even arpeggios with precise timing and control over dynamics to maintain clarity with heavy modulation. The use of a Bass VI adds a slight challenge due to its longer scale and string spacing.
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