Song Rig
Girlfriend in a Coma
Johnny Marr · Strangeways, Here We Come · 1987
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Unusually dark and direct for a Smiths track — the guitar tone is more compressed and less jangly than the earlier catalog. Marr uses a Gibson ES-355 semi-hollow here for more warmth and body, and the arrangement is spare, letting Morrissey's melody dominate.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson ES-355 (neck humbucker)
- 2Roland JC-120
- 3Boss CE-1 chorus (minimal)
Amp Settings
More balanced EQ than the Rickenbacker-bright tracks — the ES-355's humbucker neck pickup demands less treble compensation. Chorus at minimal depth. Reverb modest. The resulting tone is warmer and more intimate than the chiming Smiths sound.
Technique
How to Play It
Strummed semi-hollow chord progressions with minimal embellishment — one of the more straightforward Smiths guitar arrangements. The emotional content is in the chord choices, not the technique.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Semi-hollow guitar (ES-335 or Epiphone Casino) → Roland JC-120 or any clean amp with reverb. Less chorus than typical Marr tracks.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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