Post-Punk1979Three Imaginary Boys
Fire In Cairo Amp Settings
by The Cure
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Original Recording Settings
partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "Fire In Cairo" by The Cure
Original Gear
- Guitar
- Fender Jazzmaster (Olympic White)
- Pickups
- Woolworth's Top 20 pickup (middle (Top 20 pickup))
- Amplifier
- Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most likely)
- Channel
- Clean with built-in chorus engaged
- Tuning
- standard
- Pickup Selector
- middle (Top 20 pickup)
- Strings
- Not documented
Shimmering chorused quality highly consistent with JC-120's built-in stereo BBD chorus. Alternative: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble pedal (same circuit) or studio outboard. The JC-120's chorus mode has fixed depth and rate with no user-adjustable parameters.
Amp Settings
No settings available
No amp settings documented. If Roland JC-120 was used, the chorus circuit has factory-fixed settings. Clean tone with prominent modulation.
Effects Chain
→
→Roland JC-120 built-in chorus (or Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble)
chorus
1.Roland JC-120 built-in chorus (or Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble) — Analog BBD chorus — not a phaser or flanger. The wider, spread-out modulation is consistent with the JC-120's MN3002 BBD chip. Smith may have combined slight string detuning with the chorus effect to enhance shimmer.
Playing Technique
Sustained, open chord voicings with flowing arpeggiated patterns over Am-G-C-G-F progression. More legato approach compared to the staccato style of Killing an Arab. Possible capo on 1st fret.
Sources+
- Robert Smith interview, Guitar Player (~1992)
- OffsetGuitars.com forum — JC-120 chorus attribution
- The Gear Page forum — 'JC or CE-1' for TIB era
- Mike Hedges interview, Sound on Sound (Dec 2004)
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