Riff Tone
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
The Smiths
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 330 6-string
AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely Silverface, mid-1980s studio recording)
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single coils
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Johnny Marr used his Rickenbacker 330 6-string for the main riff. Fender Twin Reverb amp is strongly indicated by era, genre, and Marr's studio choices. No explicit evidence of other guitars or amps for this section.
Tone Character(10)
shimmering cleanbright and articulatechiming, bell-like attacklush, airy top endclear note separationslight compression from ampsubtle reverb ambiencejangly, open chordsdynamic response to pickingno audible overdrive
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced chord shapes, precise right-hand picking, and clean articulation to achieve the signature jangly, chiming sound. The interplay of open strings and fretted notes, along with the rhythmic complexity, makes it challenging for most players.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 330 6-string
AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely Silverface, mid-1980s studio recording)
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single coils
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Johnny Marr used his Rickenbacker 330 6-string for the main riff. Fender Twin Reverb amp is strongly indicated by era, genre, and Marr's studio choices. No explicit evidence of other guitars or amps for this section.
Tone Character(10)
shimmering cleanbright and articulatechiming, bell-like attacklush, airy top endclear note separationslight compression from ampsubtle reverb ambiencejangly, open chordsdynamic response to pickingno audible overdrive
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced chord shapes, precise right-hand picking, and clean articulation to achieve the signature jangly, chiming sound. The interplay of open strings and fretted notes, along with the rhythmic complexity, makes it challenging for most players.
More The Smiths tones
- Back to the Old House · riff
- This Charming Man · riff
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out · riff
- This Night Has Opened My Eyes · riff
- The Headmaster Ritual · riff
- Back to the Old House · solo
- Back to the Old House (2011 Remaster) · riff
- Barbarism Begins at Home · solo
- Barbarism Begins at Home · riff
- Bigmouth Strikes Again · riff