What guitar did Johnny Marr use on This Charming Man?

Johnny Marr used a Rickenbacker 330 on "This Charming Man." The Rickenbacker's distinctive single-coil pickups and semi-hollow construction were essential to achieving the bright, jangly tone that defined The Smiths' sound.

How to get Johnny Marr's tone on This Charming Man?

Start with a bright single-coil guitar like a Rickenbacker, use a clean Fender-style amp with plenty of headroom, and add subtle chorus with a Boss CE-1 or similar pedal. Keep the gain low and emphasize the treble frequencies for that signature jangle.

What chorus pedal did The Smiths use?

Johnny Marr used a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal on many Smiths recordings, including "This Charming Man." The CE-1 was Boss's first chorus pedal and provided the warm, analog modulation that became central to his sound.

What amp did Johnny Marr use with The Smiths?

Johnny Marr frequently used Fender Twin Reverb amplifiers during his time with The Smiths. The Twin Reverb's clean headroom and bright character complemented his Rickenbacker guitars perfectly for the band's jangly sound.

Can you get The Smiths guitar tone without a Rickenbacker?

Yes, other semi-hollow guitars with bright single-coil pickups can approximate the tone, such as certain Gretsch or Epiphone Casino models. The key is finding a guitar with similar brightness and natural compression from semi-hollow construction.

lead guitar from "this charming man" by the smiths

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Tone Profile

A jangly, bright, and slightly compressed guitar tone with a chorus effect, characteristic of Johnny Marr's playing style. It's clean but with a subtle edge that cuts through the mix.

The Story

Johnny Marr achieved the jangly lead guitar tone on "This Charming Man" using his Rickenbacker 330 through a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier, with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal providing the signature shimmering movement. The track was recorded at Amazon Studios in Liverpool with producer John Porter. The Rickenbacker's naturally bright single-coil pickups combined with the Twin Reverb's clean headroom created the articulate, cutting tone that became a hallmark of The Smiths' sound.

Production Credits

Producer: John Porter

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: Amazon Studios, Liverpool

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rickenbacker 330

Amp: Fender Twin Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Boss CE-1

Recreation Tips

Start with a Rickenbacker-style guitar with single-coil pickups.
Use a clean amp setting, similar to a Fender Twin Reverb, with minimal gain.
Add a subtle chorus effect using a Boss CE-1 or similar chorus pedal.
Adjust the EQ for a bright and slightly scooped mid-range tone.
Consider using a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Gretsch G6120 Electromatic Hollow Body$400-$500

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 330

Offers similar jangly single-coil pickup tone and semi-hollow construction at a fraction of the Rickenbacker price

Boss Katana 100$350-$400

Alternative to: Fender Twin Reverb

Clean channel provides similar headroom and clarity with built-in effects, making it perfect for jangly tones

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

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Modern recreation of vintage Boss chorus circuits, specifically designed to capture the CE-1's warm analog chorus sound

TC Electronic Corona Chorus$100-$120

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Budget option with vintage chorus modes that can approximate the CE-1's lush modulation

Amplitube 5 Fender Collection$150-$200

Alternative to: Complete signal chain

Includes accurate Twin Reverb modeling and vintage chorus effects for home recording

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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