How to Dial In "Melt!" by Siouxsie and the Banshees - Guitar Tone Settings
What Siouxsie and the Banshees Actually Used on "Melt!"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982). A swirling, romantic track on which John McGeoch's flanged, arpeggiated guitar drifts over the song. McGeoch recorded Kaleidoscope, Juju and A Kiss in the Dreamhouse with the band, and sources say he played Yamaha SG-1000s throughout his time with Magazine and the Banshees, built a rig around an MXR flanger on a mic stand so he could sweep it by hand, and began on a Roland JC-120 before adding a Marshall MV50. None of this is tied to this track in particular. Set the amp clean with a little edge and use the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Melt!" Tone
What guitar did Siouxsie and the Banshees use on "Melt!"?
Siouxsie and the Banshees tracked "Melt!" on a Yamaha SG1000 (released 1982). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Melt!" need?
On Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, 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 "Melt!" without a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Melt!" 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.
What pedals are on "Melt!"?
The original signal chain for "Melt!" runs through MXR M117R Flanger. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Melt!" by Siouxsie and the Banshees are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.