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rhythm guitar from “love will tear us apart” by joy division | ToneDB

love will tear us apart

joy division

rhythm guitar

85% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, chiming, and melancholic clean guitar tone, defined by its prominent chorus effect and a sense of spaciousness created by subtle delays and reverb, embodying the quintessential post-punk sound.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Shergold Masquerader Guitar (likely bridge or middle pickup)

Amp: HH IC100 Solid State Amplifier

Microphone: Shure SM57 or Neumann U87

Processing: Electro-Harmonix Clone Theory (Chorus/Vibrato), AMS DMX 15-80S Digital Delay (applied by Martin Hannett for ambience/short delay), Studio Plate Reverb (applied by Martin Hannett)

Other: Guitar played with a bright, articulate picking style. Likely double-tracked. Martin Hannett may have also taken a DI signal from the guitar before the amp for blending, and extensively used the AMS DMX 15-80S for its unique spatial characteristics beyond simple delay.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded at Strawberry Studios, Stockport, UK, in March 1980.
  • Produced by Martin Hannett, renowned for his innovative and atmospheric production, emphasizing clarity and separation between instruments.
  • Hannett famously utilized the AMS DMX 15-80S digital delay for creating ambiences, short delays, and subtle pitch modulation effects, rather than relying solely on traditional reverb.
  • The overall production aimed for a spacious yet somewhat dry sound, with each instrument clearly defined in the mix.
  • DI (Direct Input) signals were often captured alongside miked amplifiers to provide tonal options and enhance clarity during mixing.
  • Bernard Sumner's guitar parts were often double-tracked to add thickness and width.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a guitar with bright-sounding pickups; single-coils (like on a Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Telecaster) or brighter humbuckers can work.
  • A clean, solid-state amplifier is a good starting point (e.g., Roland JC-120, or a clean channel on many modern amps). If using a tube amp, keep it very clean.
  • The chorus effect is crucial. An Electro-Harmonix Clone Theory or a similar analog chorus pedal (e.g., Boss CE-2W, Walrus Audio Julianna) is highly recommended. Set for a noticeable but not overly detuned shimmer.
  • Employ a short, clean digital delay (20-80ms) with minimal feedback to create a sense of space and subtle doubling, mimicking the AMS DMX effect.
  • Add a touch of plate or hall reverb, but keep it relatively short and not too dense to maintain clarity.
  • Experiment with double-tracking your guitar part and panning the tracks slightly for width.
  • Use a relatively bright pick and focus on a precise, articulate picking technique for the arpeggiated lines.

Sources