What bass did Simon Gallup use on A Forest?

Simon Gallup used a Fender Jazz Bass on "A Forest." The Jazz Bass's bright, cutting tone and dual pickups were essential for achieving the clarity needed to cut through The Cure's atmospheric guitar layers while maintaining the song's dark, driving foundation.

How to get The Cure bass tone on A Forest?

Start with a Fender Jazz Bass played with a pick near the bridge, run it through a high-headroom amp like a Hiwatt DR103, and add generous chorus with a Boss CE-1 or similar pedal. Blend a DI signal with the amp signal and EQ to cut low-mids while boosting around 2-3kHz for definition.

What chorus pedal did The Cure use on A Forest bass?

The Cure used a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal on the bass for "A Forest." This vintage analog chorus creates the distinctive shimmering, swirling effect that gives the bass line its haunting movement and stereo width in the mix.

What amp did Simon Gallup use for A Forest recording?

Simon Gallup used a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier for recording "A Forest." The Hiwatt's clean, high-headroom character provided the transparent amplification needed to maintain bass clarity while supporting the heavy chorus effects without distortion.

How was A Forest bass recorded at Morgan Studios?

The bass on "A Forest" was likely recorded using a combination of direct input and mic'd amplifier signals at Morgan Studios with producer Mike Hedges. This technique captured both the clarity of the DI signal and the warmth and body from the mic'd Hiwatt amp.

bass guitar from "a forest" by the cure

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Tone Profile

Dark, resonant, and slightly chorus-laden bass tone that provides a haunting and driving foundation for the song. It has a round, full low-end with a distinctive shimmering effect, creating a sense of depth and unease.

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Fender Jazz Bass(instrument)
Hiwatt DR103(amp)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

Simon Gallup's bass tone on "A Forest" was created using a Fender Jazz Bass played through a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. The recording was done at Morgan Studios in London with Mike Hedges producing, likely combining a direct input signal with the mic'd amplifier to capture both clarity and the amp's natural warmth.

Production Credits

Producer: Mike Hedges

Engineer: Mike Hedges

Recorded at: Morgan Studios (London)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Jazz BassShop on Reverb

Amp: Hiwatt DR103Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Jazz Bass and play with a pick near the bridge for a tighter sound.
Use a Hiwatt DR103 amp model or similar high-headroom amp simulator.
Apply a generous amount of chorus, aiming for a lush, swirling effect without becoming too seasick.
Blend a DI signal with the amp signal, focusing on the DI for clarity and the amp for warmth and body.
EQ to cut some of the muddiness in the low-mids and boost around 2-3kHz for definition.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz BassShop on Reverb$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Jazz Bass

Delivers the fundamental Jazz Bass tone with dual single-coil pickups that cut through the mix while maintaining the woody resonance needed for this darker sound

Neural DSP Darkglass UltraPlugin Boutique$80-$100

Alternative to: Hiwatt DR103

Provides clean high-headroom amplification similar to the Hiwatt's transparent character, essential for maintaining bass clarity under heavy chorus effects

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$180-$200

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits with the lush, wide stereo effect that creates the signature shimmer and movement of the original CE-1

Orange AD200BShop on Reverb$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Hiwatt DR103

All-tube bass head with similar clean headroom and transparency to the Hiwatt, allowing the chorus effect to breathe while maintaining low-end authority

TC Electronic Corona ChorusShop on Reverb$120-$150