How to Dial In "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Devil Woman"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Terry Britten and Christine Authors wrote it, and Cliff Richard recorded it at EMI Studios in London on 8 and 9 September 1975, with Bruce Welch producing, for the album I'm Nearly Famous. Released on 23 April 1976, it reached number 9 in the UK and number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, his first US top-20 hit and his biggest seller there, and its use in I, Tonya in 2017 revived it. Terry Britten played guitar, with Alan Tarney on bass, Graham Todd on electric piano and Clem Cattini on drums. No source names the guitar, amp or effects. The guitar part is a dark, insistent minor riff with a slinky, clean-but-thick tone: play it in a middle pickup position with the amp clean and a touch of grit when you dig in. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Devil Woman" Tone
What guitar did Cliff Richard use on "Devil Woman"?
The guitar on "Devil Woman" (released 1976) isn't documented; the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Devil Woman" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Devil Woman" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Devil Woman" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.