The Police Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Featured Tone
Every Breath You Take (1983)
Early-1960s Fender Telecaster (Andy Summers’ heavily modified main instrument; commonly associated with this era) → Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (commonly reported for very clean headroom on this track; treated as best-available inference)
Extremely clean, bright, and controlled—almost studio-hi-fi—yet animated by subtle modulation. The sound is tight and even, with a glossy sheen and just enough ambience to keep the arpeggio floating. The defining feature is the combination of pristine headroom and a ‘moving’ modulation layer that never obscures the notes.
Typical Gear & Settings
Average Amp Settings
Amplifiers
- Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (commonly reported for very clean headroom on this track; treated as best-available inference)
- Clean high-headroom amp (exact studio amp not specified in sources consulted; likely a very clean platform to preserve flanger detail)
Guitars
- Early-1960s Fender Telecaster (Andy Summers’ heavily modified main instrument; commonly associated with this era)
- Early-1960s Fender Telecaster (Andy Summers’ modified main Tele-style guitar)
Pickups
- other
Effects & Pedals
compressor
MXR Dyna Comp (likely/period-appropriate; inferred) (1 song)
flanger
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress (period-appropriate; inferred) (1 song), Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress (1 song)
delay
Tape delay (Echoplex/Space Echo style; inferred) (1 song)
The Police Song Tones
Every Breath You Take (1983)
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (commonly reported for very clean headroom on this track; treated as best-available inference)
Message in a Bottle (1979)
Clean high-headroom amp (exact studio amp not specified in sources consulted; likely a very clean platform to preserve flanger detail)
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