What guitar did Robert Smith use on In Between Days?

Robert Smith used a Fender Jazzmaster on "In Between Days." The Jazzmaster's bright single-coil pickups were essential to achieving the jangly, cutting tone that characterizes the song's lead guitar parts.

How to get The Cure's chorus guitar sound?

The key is using a Roland JC-120 amplifier, which has a built-in chorus effect that was central to The Cure's sound. Pair it with a guitar that has bright single-coil pickups like a Jazzmaster, and keep the amp settings clean to let the chorus shimmer through the mix.

What amp did The Cure use in the 1980s?

The Cure relied heavily on the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier during the 1980s, including on "In Between Days." The JC-120's pristine clean tone and built-in chorus became synonymous with the band's jangly alternative rock sound of that era.

Boss CE-1 vs Roland JC-120 chorus difference?

The Roland JC-120 has a built-in chorus that's cleaner and more subtle, while the Boss CE-1 offers a warmer, more pronounced chorus effect. On "In Between Days," both were likely used together to create the layered, shimmering chorus sound.

Where was The Cure In Between Days recorded?

"In Between Days" was recorded at Outside Studios in Oxfordshire, England. The studio's facilities allowed The Cure to capture the bright, clean tones that became characteristic of their mid-'80s sound.

lead guitar from "in between days" by the cure

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Tone Profile

The lead guitar sound is characterized by its bright, jangly chorus, with a clean tone that cuts through the mix.

The Story

The jangly lead guitar tone on "In Between Days" was achieved using Robert Smith's Fender Jazzmaster through a Roland JC-120 amplifier, with the JC-120's built-in chorus being a crucial element of the sound. The track was recorded at Outside Studios in Oxfordshire, and the combination of the Jazzmaster's bright single-coil pickups and the JC-120's clean tone and chorus created the distinctive shimmering quality that defines the song.

Production Credits

Producer: Robert Smith

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: Outside Studios, Oxfordshire

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Jazzmaster

Amp: Roland JC-120

Processing: Boss CE-1

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Jazzmaster or similar guitar with bright single-coil pickups.
Use a Roland JC-120 amplifier or a clean amp model with a chorus effect.
Add a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal for a more pronounced effect if needed.
Adjust the chorus settings for a subtle, shimmering effect that enhances the guitar's natural tone.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmaster$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Jazzmaster

Budget-friendly option with authentic Jazzmaster single-coil pickups that deliver the bright, jangly tone essential to this sound

Boss JC-40 Jazz Chorus$300-$350

Alternative to: Roland JC-120

Smaller version of the JC-120 with the same pristine clean tone and built-in chorus that made the original famous for '80s alternative tones

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus$180-$200

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits including CE-1 mode, perfect for adding that extra shimmer to the JC amp's chorus

UAD JC-120 Plugin$149-$199

Alternative to: Roland JC-120

Accurate digital recreation of the JC-120's clean tone and chorus, ideal for recording this bright '80s alternative sound

Fender Player Jazzmaster$800-$900