Riff Tone
Synchronicity II (Remastered 2003)
The Police
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (custom, with bridge single-coil and neck humbucker)
AmpMarshall amp (likely JMP or JCM800, used for dirty tones in studio)
PickupsBridge single-coil (Fender Telecaster bridge pickup)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
Notes
Studio recording, 1983 (Synchronicity album sessions). Andy Summers used his main Telecaster with a Marshall amp for the riff section. Chorus effect from Boss CE-2 pedal. No evidence of live/tour rig or later reunion gear for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
bright and cuttingchorused shimmertight and percussiveslightly gritty edgearticulate chord voicingsmodulated, swirling texturedynamic and responsiveclear note separation80s new wave/post-punk flavornot heavily saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced chord shapes, tight rhythmic precision, and dynamic control at a fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
This tone has been researched 5 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (custom, with bridge single-coil and neck humbucker)
AmpMarshall amp (likely JMP or JCM800, used for dirty tones in studio)
PickupsBridge single-coil (Fender Telecaster bridge pickup)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus
This tone has been researched 5 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1983 (Synchronicity album sessions). Andy Summers used his main Telecaster with a Marshall amp for the riff section. Chorus effect from Boss CE-2 pedal. No evidence of live/tour rig or later reunion gear for this recording.
Tone Character(10)
bright and cuttingchorused shimmertight and percussiveslightly gritty edgearticulate chord voicingsmodulated, swirling texturedynamic and responsiveclear note separation80s new wave/post-punk flavornot heavily saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced chord shapes, tight rhythmic precision, and dynamic control at a fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.
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