Riff Tone
Until I Drown
Tears for Fears
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsUnknown exact type (likely single-coil or HSS configuration, typical for Tears for Fears in this era)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, early 1990s. No direct evidence for exact guitar model or pickup type for this specific song/section. Amp confirmed as JC-120 from multiple era sources. No evidence of live-specific rig for this part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and chorus-ladencrystalline, shimmering top endtight, percussive attacklush stereo chorus effectarticulate note separationdynamic response to pickingslight breakup on harder strumssubtle amp reverb for space80s/90s new wave guitar characterno heavy distortion, just edge-of-breakup
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, syncopated strumming and careful dynamic control to maintain clarity with chorus and slight breakup. Not technically advanced, but requires attention to timing and tone.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown exact model (likely Roland Orzabal's main guitar from early 1990s, possibly Fender Stratocaster or Roland G-505)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
PickupsUnknown exact type (likely single-coil or HSS configuration, typical for Tears for Fears in this era)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, early 1990s. No direct evidence for exact guitar model or pickup type for this specific song/section. Amp confirmed as JC-120 from multiple era sources. No evidence of live-specific rig for this part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and chorus-ladencrystalline, shimmering top endtight, percussive attacklush stereo chorus effectarticulate note separationdynamic response to pickingslight breakup on harder strumssubtle amp reverb for space80s/90s new wave guitar characterno heavy distortion, just edge-of-breakup
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, syncopated strumming and careful dynamic control to maintain clarity with chorus and slight breakup. Not technically advanced, but requires attention to timing and tone.
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