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I Just Need Myself (PSI Studio Demo 1/78) Guitar Tone Settings
The Cure · 1970s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Jazzmaster
Pickups
Single-coil (Fender Jazzmaster stock pickups)
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, demo tracked in January 1978. Gear inferred from era and Robert Smith's known setup for early Cure demos. No direct evidence for this exact demo, but JC-120 and Jazzmaster are strongly associated with Smith's late 70s/early 80s studio work.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain3.5
Reverb2
Treble6.5
Presence5
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Tone Character
- bright and glassy
- articulate single-coil attack
- shimmering chorus modulation
- tight and percussive rhythm
- slightly compressed
- minimal sustain
- clear note separation
- modest low end
- crisp highs
- slight amp breakup at high dynamics
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms the exact gear or settings for this specific demo recording; gear and settings are inferred from Robert Smith's known 1978-1980 studio rig and the audible tone.
- No numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Roland JC-120 usage for clean/modulated punk tones.
- Chorus effect is clearly audible and consistent with JC-120 built-in chorus, but no explicit pedal evidence for this demo.
- If later evidence emerges of a different guitar or amp for this session, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The Cure's late-70s demos feature a jangly, slightly gritty post-punk tone with clear mids and moderate treble, likely using a Hiwatt or similar British amp with edge-of-breakup gain. The tone is mid-forward, not scooped, with restrained bass and subtle reverb typical of early studio demos.