Riff Tone

William, It Was Really Nothing

The Smiths

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1962 Epiphone Coronet (Nashville tuning, electric 12-string set, used to double Rickenbacker arpeggios)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsSingle P-90 (Epiphone 1962 Coronet stock pickup)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb2.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984. Johnny Marr used the 1962 Epiphone Coronet in Nashville tuning to double Rickenbacker arpeggios for the main riff. The Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus was a key part of his studio and live rig for this era. No evidence of other guitars or amps for the riff section on the original studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglyarticulate high-end shimmertight and percussive attackclear note separationchiming arpeggiosNashville tuning sparkleclean and glassydistinct chorus shimmerno audible distortionslightly compressed

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated arpeggios with clean articulation and familiarity with Nashville tuning, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Johnny Marr's Guitars, Amps, Pedals & Other Gear | Equipboard In pictures: Johnny Marr's gear collection | MusicRadar The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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