lead guitar from “everybody wants to rule the world” by tears for fears | ToneDB
everybody wants to rule the world
tears for fears
lead guitar
Tone Profile
The lead guitar has a chorus-soaked, slightly compressed tone that blends smoothly with the synth-heavy arrangement. It's clean but present, providing melodic hooks without overpowering the song's overall texture.
The Story
The lead guitar on 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' features a Fender Stratocaster played through a Roland JC-120 amplifier with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. The song was recorded at The Wool Hall in Bath, UK with producer Chris Hughes and engineer Dave Bates. The signature sound comes from the CE-1's wide, shimmering chorus effect combined with the JC-120's inherently clean, compressed character.
Production Credits
Producer: Chris Hughes
Engineer: Dave Bates
Recorded at: The Wool Hall, Bath, UK
Signal Chain
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster in the bridge pickup position for a bright, clear tone.
- Use a Roland JC-120 or a similar clean amp simulator as your base tone.
- Add a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal or plugin, adjusting the rate and depth to match the original sound.
- Apply a gentle compressor to smooth out the dynamics and enhance sustain.
- Adjust EQ to taste, focusing on a slight mid-range boost for presence.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- Roland JC-120(amp)
- Boss CE-1(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus
Features both CE-1 and CE-2 modes, with the CE-1 mode specifically recreating the original's preamp and chorus circuit for that classic '80s shimmer
Alternative to: Roland JC-120 Amplifier
Compact version of the JC-120 with the same stereo chorus and ultra-clean tone that defined the original recording
Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus
Premium bucket brigade chorus that can nail the CE-1's warm, analog modulation with multiple voicing options
Alternative to: Roland JC-120 Amplifier
Accurate digital recreation of the JC-120's pristine clean tone and built-in stereo chorus for direct recording
Frequently Asked Questions
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