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Riff Tone
Boys Don't Cry
The Cure
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely late 1970s, as used by Robert Smith on early Cure recordings)
AmpPeavey Classic 50 (combo, as used on 'Three Imaginary Boys' era recordings)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1978-1979. Gear based on era and Robert Smith's documented use for 'Three Imaginary Boys' and 'Boys Don't Cry' sessions. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyarticulate single notestight, percussive attackslightly compressedmodest amp reverbclean with a hint of breakupchiming, cutting highsdynamic response to pickingclassic post-punk clarityno heavy distortion
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires tight alternate picking and rhythmic precision, but uses simple open and barre chord shapes without advanced techniques.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely late 1970s, as used by Robert Smith on early Cure recordings)
AmpPeavey Classic 50 (combo, as used on 'Three Imaginary Boys' era recordings)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1978-1979. Gear based on era and Robert Smith's documented use for 'Three Imaginary Boys' and 'Boys Don't Cry' sessions. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyarticulate single notestight, percussive attackslightly compressedmodest amp reverbclean with a hint of breakupchiming, cutting highsdynamic response to pickingclassic post-punk clarityno heavy distortion
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires tight alternate picking and rhythmic precision, but uses simple open and barre chord shapes without advanced techniques.