lead guitar from “pictures of you” by the cure | ToneDB
pictures of you
the cure
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
Dreamy and atmospheric, with a chorus-laden shimmer and subtle reverb. The tone is bright and spacious, perfect for creating a melancholic and ethereal soundscape.
Gear
- Fender Jazzmasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Roland JC-120amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Boss CE-1processing
- Reverb$747Sweetwater
- Roland Dimension Dprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Robert Smith's lead guitar on "Pictures of You" features his signature combination of a Fender Jazzmaster through a Roland JC-120 amplifier, processed with Boss CE-1 chorus and Roland Dimension D spatial enhancement. The track was recorded at RAK Studios in London, with Smith layering multiple guitar parts with slightly different chorus and reverb settings to create the song's characteristic dense, shimmering texture.
Production Credits
Producer: Robert Smith, David M. Allen
Engineer: N/A
Recorded at: RAK Studios, London
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Jazzmaster
Amp: Roland JC-120
Processing: Boss CE-1, Roland Dimension D
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Jazzmaster or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
- Use the neck pickup for a warmer, smoother tone.
- Set the Roland JC-120 to a clean channel and experiment with the built-in chorus effect.
- Add a Boss CE-1 or similar chorus pedal for a more pronounced chorus effect.
- Use a subtle reverb to add space and depth to the sound.
- Consider using a Roland Dimension D or similar spatial enhancer for added width.
Original Gear
- Fender Jazzmaster(guitar)
- Roland JC-120(amp)
- Boss CE-1(pedal)
- Roland Dimension D(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Jazzmaster
Budget-friendly option that captures the Jazzmaster's distinctive single-coil pickups and offset body design essential for The Cure's jangly tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Roland JC-120
Offers pristine clean tones and built-in chorus effects that can approximate the JC-120's legendary clean platform and chorus
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits with CE-1 mode, delivering the lush modulation essential to Smith's sound
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Roland Dimension D
Includes Dimension D-style spatial processing modes that add the subtle stereo width heard on the original recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Roland JC-120 chorus
Premium option offering multiple chorus algorithms and stereo processing to recreate the complex layered chorus textures
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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