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Love Will Tear Us Apart (2020 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings
Joy Division · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Eko Ranger 12 (12-string acoustic, Italian-made, used by Bernard Sumner on studio recording)
Pickups
Piezo (acoustic, likely built-in or mic'd, no electric pickups)
Amp
Marshall amplifier (exact model unknown, likely JMP or similar late-70s/early-80s model, used in studio for electric parts; acoustic likely direct or mic'd)
Pickup Position
N/A (acoustic piezo or mic'd, no selector)
Studio recording, 1979-1980. Main riff is played on Eko Ranger 12-string acoustic by Bernard Sumner. Some sources suggest possible layering with Shergold Masquerader or Gibson SG Standard into Marshall amp, but Eko Ranger 12 is the primary guitar for the riff. No evidence of electric guitar for main riff in studio version.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- jangly and bright
- shimmering high end
- open and airy
- percussive strumming
- clean and uncompressed
- articulate attack
- slight natural reverb
- full chord ringing
- urgent and driving
- no audible distortion
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No specific amp knob settings for the studio recording found; settings estimated based on typical acoustic/clean electric amp setup for late-70s/early-80s Marshall and genre.
- Some sources mention possible electric guitar layering (Shergold Masquerader or Gibson SG Standard into Marshall), but primary riff is confirmed to be Eko Ranger 12-string acoustic.
- No evidence of electric guitar or amp effects on main riff in studio version; all effects listed are based on audible analysis and cited sources.
- No pickup selector on acoustic; pickup choice not applicable.
- No pedalboard or effects chain evidence for acoustic riff; chorus and reverb are not present on the main riff guitar, only on bass and possibly synth.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Bernard Sumner's tone on 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' is clean with a slight edge, typical of late 70s/early 80s post-punk. The guitar is bright and chimey with forward mids, likely using a solid-state amp (like a Vox or HH) and minimal reverb, matching the era's production and the band's gear.