Riff Tone

Pretty When You Cry

Lana Del Rey

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarVintage Fender Telecaster (Electric Lady Studios in-house guitar)

AmpMarshall 100-watt head (exact model unspecified, likely JCM800 or Super Lead based on era and studio context)

PickupsFender single-coil (vintage Telecaster type)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb6

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

reverbStrymon Strymon BigSky

Notes

Studio recording, 2014 (Ultraviolence album sessions). Guitarist Blake Lee (aka Blake Stranathan) used the in-house vintage Telecaster at Electric Lady Studios, plugged into a 100-watt Marshall head. Strymon BigSky reverb pedal was used for the ambient effect. No evidence of other pedals or effects for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

ambient and lushethereal and hauntingclear single-coil articulationspacious and dreamyminimal attack, soft dynamicsprominent reverb tailorganic, vintage characterclean and atmosphericno audible overdrivesubtle, expressive picking

Difficulty

The riff is technically simple but demands control of dynamics and articulation to achieve the lush, ambient sound; the challenge lies in expressive, clean playing under heavy reverb.

Sources

Lana Del Rey guitarist Blake Lee (aka Blake Stranathan) on making his Strat sound like anything but a guitar | Guitar World Pretty When You Cry Tabs by Lana Del Rey - Explore chords and tabs

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