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lead guitar from “every breath you take” by the police | ToneDB

every breath you take

the police

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is clean, chorused, and slightly compressed, creating a shimmering and ethereal texture. It blends seamlessly with the song's atmosphere, providing subtle melodic hooks.

Gear

Fender Stratocasterinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Roland JC-120amp
ReverbSweetwater
Boss CE-1processing
Reverb$747Sweetwater

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The Story

Andy Summers' shimmering lead guitar tone on "Every Breath You Take" was created using a Fender Stratocaster played through a Roland JC-120 amplifier at AIR Studios Montserrat. The iconic clean, chorused sound likely utilized both the JC-120's built-in chorus and a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble pedal to create the ethereal, textured quality that became a signature element of the track. Summers was known for his innovative use of guitar effects to create atmospheric sounds that perfectly complemented The Police's pop sensibilities.

Production Credits

Producer: Hugh Padgham

Engineer: Hugh Padgham

Recorded at: AIR Studios, Montserrat

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: Roland JC-120

Processing: Boss CE-1

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Stratocaster or similar single-coil guitar.
  • Use the neck pickup for a rounder tone.
  • Set the Roland JC-120 for a clean tone with the chorus effect engaged.
  • Add a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble for a more pronounced chorus effect.
  • Adjust the chorus rate and depth to taste.
  • Consider a light compression to even out the dynamics and enhance sustain.

Original Gear

  • Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
  • Roland JC-120(amp)
  • Boss CE-1(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Stratocaster$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Modern Stratocaster with the same single-coil pickup configuration and neck pickup sweetness needed for that clean, glassy tone

ReverbSweetwater
Roland JC-40$600-$700

Alternative to: Roland JC-120

Smaller version of the legendary Jazz Chorus amp with the same clean headroom and built-in stereo chorus that defined the original sound

ReverbSweetwater
Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus$180-$220

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits including CE-1 modes, delivering that lush 80s chorus sweep

ReverbSweetwater
TC Electronic Corona Chorus$80-$100

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Budget option with multiple chorus algorithms including vintage modes that capture the shimmering quality of early 80s chorus effects

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio Galaxy 74 Tape Echo & Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: Roland JC-120 chorus

Includes accurate modeling of vintage chorus circuits that can recreate that clean, dimensional sound when paired with amp simulation

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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