Song Rig

Pictures of You

Robert Smith · Disintegration · 1989

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

The emotional peak of Disintegration — Robert uses guitar arpeggios with extremely long delay and reverb that creates a washed, oceanic texture. The guitar is almost indistinguishable from the keyboard pads at times, functioning as a sustained harmonic layer rather than a melodic feature.

Signal Chain

1Fender Jazzmaster or Schecter (middle pickup)
2TC Electronic 2290 Delay (long, multiple repeats)
3Roland Dimension D (full stereo width)
4Eventide H3000 (pitch shimmer)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume3

Bass6

Mid6

Treble6

Reverb7

Maximum reverb and delay — the guitar creates an ambient texture rather than a distinct rhythm or melody. The Dimension D makes the stereo image extremely wide; combined with the long delay, the guitar seems to fill the entire sonic space.

Technique

How to Play It

Slow arpeggio playing to feed the delay — Robert picks individual notes slowly to allow each delay repeat to be heard before the next note is struck. This discipline (not playing too fast) is what creates the washed, choir-like quality.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Jazzmaster → Boss DD-8 (longest available delay, 4+ repeats at declining volume) → Strymon BigSky (shimmer reverb, large hall) → play arpeggios at half the speed you would naturally choose.

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