lead guitar from “every breath you take” by the police | ToneDB
every breath you take
the police
lead guitar
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.
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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 StratocasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Roland JC-120Shop on Reverb
Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb
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
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Modern Stratocaster with the same single-coil pickup configuration and neck pickup sweetness needed for that clean, glassy tone
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
Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits including CE-1 modes, delivering that lush 80s chorus sweep
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
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
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