What guitar did Andy Summers use on Can't Stand Losing You?

Andy Summers used a Fender Telecaster on 'Can't Stand Losing You.' The Telecaster's bright, cutting tone was essential to the song's distinctive guitar sound.

What amp did The Police use for their guitar sound?

Andy Summers primarily used a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier for The Police's recordings. The JC-120's pristine clean tone and built-in chorus were crucial to his signature sound.

How to get Andy Summers chorus guitar tone?

The key is combining a bright clean amp like the Roland JC-120 with modulation effects. Summers used an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger, which creates that distinctive swirling, watery texture heard throughout The Police's catalog.

What pedals did Andy Summers use with The Police?

Andy Summers notably used an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger/chorus pedal, which was central to his sound on early Police recordings. This pedal created the characteristic swirling modulation heard on songs like 'Can't Stand Losing You.'

Can you get The Police guitar sound without a Roland JC-120?

While the JC-120 is ideal, you can approximate the sound with any clean amp paired with a good chorus or flanger pedal. The key is maintaining clarity while adding the swirling modulation effect that defines the tone.

lead guitar from "can't stand losing you" by the police

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Tone Profile

A bright, chorus-soaked guitar tone with a sharp attack and a swirling, almost watery texture. The sound is clean but with a clear presence, cutting through the mix with a distinctive shimmer.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Telecaster(instrument)
Roland JC-120(amp)
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress(processing)

The Story

Andy Summers achieved this distinctive swirling guitar tone using a Fender Telecaster through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier, enhanced with an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger. The combination of the Telecaster's bright character, the JC-120's pristine clean sound, and the Electric Mistress's chorus/flanger effect created the signature watery, shimmering texture that defined much of The Police's early sound.

Production Credits

Producer: The Police

Engineer: Nigel Gray

Recorded at: Surrey Sound Studios

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Roland JC-120Shop on Reverb

Processing: Electro-Harmonix Electric MistressShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Telecaster and dial in a clean amp setting.
Use the Roland JC-120's built-in chorus or a chorus pedal for a similar effect.
Experiment with flanger settings to replicate the specific swirling texture of the Electric Mistress.
Adjust the gain and EQ to achieve a bright, cutting tone that remains clean and clear.

Original Gear

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Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Roland JC-120Shop on Reverb(amp)
Electro-Harmonix Electric MistressShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '50s TelecasterShop on Reverb$380-$420

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Provides the essential Telecaster brightness and snap at a budget price point

Roland JC-40 Jazz ChorusShop on Reverb$450-$500

Alternative to: Roland JC-120

Same clean tone and built-in chorus as the JC-120 but in a more compact format

Electro-Harmonix Neo MistressShop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress

Modern reissue of the Electric Mistress with the same flanger/chorus voicing

Neural DSP Archetype Tim HensonPlugin Boutique$99-$119

Alternative to: Roland JC-120

Includes accurate JC-120 modeling with built-in chorus effects for recording

Fender Player TelecasterShop on Reverb$750-$850

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Mid-range option with authentic Telecaster pickup voicing and build quality

TC Electronic Vortex FlangerShop on Reverb$120-$150