Get this tone on your gear
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The recording
Robert Smith recorded the jangly, chorus‑drenched guitar on a 1970s Fender Jazzmaster (modified with a Top‑20 pickup) directly into a Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus, leaving the amp’s built‑in stereo chorus fully engaged. The part was tracked clean with the bridge pickup, sitting prominently in the mix and giving the song its signature bright, shimmering texture.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Original gear
Fender Jazzmaster (1970s, modified with Top‑20 pickup)
Guitar
The iconic riff on 'Boys Don't Cry' was played on a Fender Jazzmaster fitted with a pickup salvaged from Smith’s Woolworth’s Top 20 electric guitar.
Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus (clean)
Amp
The clean, chorus‑rich tone was captured using a Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus with its built‑in stereo chorus left fully on, providing the song’s shimmering character.
Alternatives
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Play the main riff with a light attack, using the bridge pickup for maximum chime.
- 2.Add subtle wrist vibrato on held chords to enhance the chorus effect.
- 3.Keep the volume knob rolled back to preserve clean dynamics.
- 4.Use a slight palm mute on down‑strokes for tighter rhythm.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Boys Don't Cry guitar tone?
The available research points to Fender Jazzmaster (1970s, modified with Top‑20 pickup) into Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus (clean). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Boys Don't Cry amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Boys Don't Cry in?
The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Boys Don't Cry tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
