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lead guitar from “when doves cry” by prince | ToneDB

when doves cry

prince

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A heavily processed, almost synth-like guitar tone with a chorus effect and bright, cutting high-end frequencies, providing a unique and memorable sound.

Gear

Hohner Madcatinstrument
Reverb$1999Sweetwater
Ampeg SVTamp
ReverbSweetwater
Boss CE-1processing
Reverb$747Sweetwater

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The Story

Prince used his signature Hohner Madcat guitar through a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble to create the distinctive, synth-like lead guitar sound on "When Doves Cry." The guitar was processed through an Ampeg SVT amplifier, which provided a bright, clean foundation that cut through the mix. The heavy chorus effect creates the characteristic detuned, shimmering texture that makes the guitar sound almost synthesized.

Production Credits

Producer: Prince

Engineer: Susan Rogers

Recorded at: Sunset Sound, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hohner Madcat

Amp: Ampeg SVT

Processing: Boss CE-1

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a clean, bright guitar tone from an HSS Strat-style guitar.
  • Use a chorus pedal, such as the Boss CE-1 or a similar model, with a medium depth and rate to get the detuned effect.
  • Adjust the EQ to emphasize the high frequencies to get the crisp, cutting sound.

Original Gear

  • Hohner Madcat(guitar)
  • Boss CE-1(pedal)
  • Ampeg SVT(amp)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus$150-$180

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Provides both CE-1 and CE-2 modes with the same lush, vintage chorus character essential for that detuned, synth-like texture

ReverbSweetwater
Strymon Ola dBucket Chorus & Vibrato$250-$280

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Premium bucket-brigade chorus that can nail the CE-1's warm, analog modulation with precise control over depth and rate

ReverbSweetwater
Fender Player Stratocaster HSS$750-$850

Alternative to: Hohner Madcat guitar

HSS pickup configuration provides the bright, cutting single-coil tones needed for this processed lead sound

ReverbSweetwater
Fender Twin Reverb$1200-$1400

Alternative to: Ampeg SVT amplifier

Clean, bright tube amp that provides the clear, cutting foundation needed before heavy chorus processing

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio CE-1 Chorus & Vibrato Plugin$150-$200

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Exact digital emulation of the CE-1 circuit, perfect for recreating the specific modulation character in the studio

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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