Just Like Heaven

The recording

Recorded in 1987 for the album "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me", the track features intertwining guitars by Robert Smith and Porl Thompson. Smith played a Fender Jazzmaster‑style guitar, using the bridge pickup for the soaring lead and the middle position for rhythm, keeping the volume knob high for lead parts. The clean, shimmering tone was routed through a Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus, with its bright switch on and the built‑in chorus set to moderate depth, giving the airy texture that defines the song. Producers Robert Smith and David M. Allen mixed the guitars front‑and‑center with a touch of reverb, allowing the chiming chords to sit atop the rhythm section.

Reported gear

Fender Jazzmaster style electric guitar

Guitar

Robert Smith used his Fender Jazzmaster‑style electric guitar, employing the bridge pickup for the lead melody and the middle position for rhythm, delivering the iconic jangly tone on “Just Like Heaven”.

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Amplifier

Amplifier

The clean, shimmering tone was shaped by a Roland JC‑120 Jazz Chorus, its built‑in chorus and bright switch providing the lush ambience heard throughout the track.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Jazzmaster style electric guitar

$400 to $500

Roland JC-120 Reissue

Reissue · for the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Amplifier

$1,500 to $2,000

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup for lead lines to cut through the mix.
2. 2.Raise the guitar volume knob to full when playing the arpeggiated lead.
3. 3.Use a clean amp with built‑in chorus (e.g., Roland JC‑120) and turn the bright switch on.
4. 4.Add a subtle reverb to emulate the song’s airy ambience.