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There Is a Light That Never Goes Out — The Smiths1 / 2
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There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Guitar Tone Settings

The Smiths · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Rickenbacker 330 (likely double-tracked with a Martin D-28 acoustic)
Pickups
Rickenbacker Hi-Gain single coils
Amp
Fender '60s Blackface Twin Reverb
Pickup Position
Neck + Bridge (middle position on Rickenbacker 330)

Studio recording, 1985/1986. Johnny Marr is known to have double-tracked the main riff with a Rickenbacker 330 and a Martin D-28 acoustic for shimmer. The amp is widely cited as a Fender Twin Reverb for the clean, chimey tone. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for this specific studio riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
0
Reverb
4.5
Treble
7.5
Presence
5.5

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Tone Character

  • chimey and bright
  • shimmering top end
  • articulate and clear
  • lush and layered
  • warm but present mids
  • subtle spring reverb ambience
  • no audible overdrive
  • jangly and open
  • dynamic and responsive
  • classic 1980s jangle pop

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for this song; values estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb clean settings for 1980s jangle pop and Johnny Marr's known preferences.
  • ⚠️Double-tracking with Martin D-28 acoustic is confirmed for the studio recording, but the electric part is the Rickenbacker 330.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects on the clean riff section; only spring reverb from the amp is audible.
  • ⚠️Pedals like Boss GE-7 and DS-1 are associated with Marr's general Smiths pedalboard but not specifically cited for this song's clean riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Johnny Marr's tone on 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' is clean but chimey, with pronounced mids and treble typical of a British amp (likely a Roland JC-120 or Fender Twin, but set for Vox-like sparkle), moderate bass, and a touch of spring reverb for space. The gain is low for clarity, and the mids/treble are pushed for that signature jangly Smiths sound.

Sources