Post-Punk1979Three Imaginary Boys
Killing an Arab Amp Settings
by The Cure
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Original Recording Settings
partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "Killing an Arab" by The Cure
Original Gear
- Guitar
- Fender Jazzmaster (Olympic White)
- Pickups
- Woolworth's Top 20 pickup (cheap Japanese-made Teisco/Recco origin, from Smith's very first guitar) (middle (custom-wired Top 20 pickup))
- Amplifier
- WEM Clubman (small British combo amp)
- Channel
- Single channel
- Tuning
- standard
- Pickup Selector
- middle (Top 20 pickup — stock Jazzmaster pickups bypassed)
- Strings
- Not documented
Smith brought 'a little WEM combo amp' to sessions. UberProAudio attributes 'WEM Clubman' for Three Imaginary Boys. Some sources suggest Roland JC-120 was acquired during TIB sessions, but the dry sound on this track strongly suggests the WEM.
Amp Settings
No settings available
No amp settings documented for Three Imaginary Boys sessions. Clean, bright tone suggests relatively clean amp setting with slight edge-of-breakup character.
Effects Chain
No effects - straight into the amp
Playing Technique
Angular, deliberate single-note melodic lines on upper strings. Staccato picking style. Sparse chord work — not strumming-heavy. Measured, literary quality reflecting the song's inspiration from Albert Camus' The Stranger.
Sources+
- Robert Smith interview, Guitar Player (~1992) — confirmed Jazzmaster + Top 20 pickup
- Mike Hedges interview, Sound on Sound (Dec 2004) — studio details
- UberProAudio — WEM Clubman attribution for TIB
- Equipboard — Robert Smith profile
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