Riff Tone

The Headmaster Ritual

The Smiths

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender 1954 Telecaster (John Porter’s, used by Johnny Marr on the studio recording)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsSingle-coil (vintage Telecaster pickups, likely stock 1954 spec)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb3.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985. Marr has stated in interviews and on Equipboard that the '54 Telecaster was used for much of The Smiths' album, including 'The Headmaster Ritual' riff. The Roland JC-120 was the primary amp for the clean, chorus-laden Smiths sound. No evidence of pedals for the clean riff section; chorus is from the amp. Acoustic tracks (Martin D-28) are layered but not the main electric riff.

Tone Character(10)

bright and glassyarticulate and percussivejangly and openchorus shimmertight, snappy attackclear note separationdynamic and touch-sensitiveno audible distortionclassic 80s clean chorus toneslightly compressed

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced picking technique, intricate chord shapes, and precise muting to achieve the clean, articulate sound. The interplay of rhythm and melody, along with the need for dynamic control, makes it challenging for most players.