Song Rig

Lovesong

Robert Smith · Disintegration · 1989

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

One of the most unusual guitar tones in pop music — Robert Smith uses an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger set to an unusual "fixed filter" mode that creates a warbling, alien shimmer on the rhythm guitar. The chord voicings are open and simple, but the processing makes them sound otherworldly.

Signal Chain

1Gibson ES-345 or similar semi-hollow
2Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (clean platform)
3Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress (flanger, fixed filter mode)
4Korg SDD-3000 delay

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume2

Bass6

Mid6

Treble7

Roland JC-120 on the completely clean setting — the JC-120's famously clean, solid-state tone is the correct platform for the Mistress's effect. Any amp gain would compromise the clarity the flanger needs to sound correct. The effect chain does the tonal heavy lifting, not the amp.

Technique

How to Play It

Arpeggiated open-position chord voicings — Smith plays relatively simple chord shapes but uses unusual voicings that leave open strings ringing. The arpeggio picking is loose and deliberate, allowing each note to ring into the flanger and delay for maximum texture.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any clean guitar → EHX Electric Mistress (in "Chorus/Vibrato" or "Flange" mode with Rate near 0 and "Filter Matrix" switch) → chorus or delay for depth → Roland JC-120 or any clean amp.

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