GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Guitar Tone Settings
Tears for Fears · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Tokai AST (Stratocaster-style, blue headstock, as seen in official video and cited for studio recording)
Pickups
Tokai single-coil pickups (Strat-style, likely stock or period-correct Tokai single coils)
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Pickup Position
Position 4 (neck + middle)
Studio recording, 1984-1985. Guitar and amp confirmed via Equipboard and video evidence. Pedalboard built by Pete Cornish for Orzabal included Boss CS-2, SD-1, CE-2, VB-2, and delay. Chorus effect is a signature part of the riff. No evidence of live rig for this part; all data refers to studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain0
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer · compression
- Boss CE-2 Chorus · chorus
Tokai AST Strat → Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer → Boss CE-2 Chorus → Roland JC-120 (chorus and reverb on)
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Tone Character
- bright and glassy
- lush chorus modulation
- clean and articulate
- tight, percussive attack
- spacious and wide stereo image
- shimmering top end
- compressed but dynamic
- distinctive 80s pop clarity
- no audible overdrive
- quacky Strat position
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No direct amp knob settings found; settings estimated based on typical Roland JC-120 usage for 80s clean chorus tones.
- Pickup position inferred from classic Strat 'quack' sound in riff and common 80s pop practice.
- Pedalboard models confirmed, but exact pedal settings not available.
- Chorus effect is clearly audible and signature to the riff; JC-120 built-in chorus and/or Boss CE-2 likely used.
- Delay is listed on pedalboard but not clearly audible in riff section; not included in pedals for riff.
- Compression pedal (Boss CS-2) is on Orzabal's board and likely always on for clean pop tones.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The riff's tone is clean but chimey, with a touch of breakup and pronounced brightness typical of 80s pop/rock. The likely use of a Roland JC-120 or clean amp with chorus, moderate bass, balanced mids, and bright treble/presence settings reflects the era's production and the song's sparkling, articulate guitar sound.