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Riff Tone
Boys Don't Cry (Single Version)
The Cure
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (late 1970s, likely CBS-era, maple neck)
AmpRoland Jazz Chorus JC-120
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1979 single version. Guitar and amp confirmed by multiple sources for this era and song. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Effects primarily from pedals, not amp.
Tone Character(9)
bright and janglycrisp attackslightly gritty crunchmodulated shimmerarticulate single-coil claritytight and percussivedynamic, punchy rhythmchorus/flanger swirldistinctive post-punk snap
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady downstrokes and precise timing to maintain the song's driving rhythm, but uses basic chord shapes and no advanced techniques.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (late 1970s, likely CBS-era, maple neck)
AmpRoland Jazz Chorus JC-120
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1979 single version. Guitar and amp confirmed by multiple sources for this era and song. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Effects primarily from pedals, not amp.
Tone Character(9)
bright and janglycrisp attackslightly gritty crunchmodulated shimmerarticulate single-coil claritytight and percussivedynamic, punchy rhythmchorus/flanger swirldistinctive post-punk snap
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady downstrokes and precise timing to maintain the song's driving rhythm, but uses basic chord shapes and no advanced techniques.