How to Dial In "It's Not You" by The Cure - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "It's Not You"
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.
From Three Imaginary Boys (1979). Three Imaginary Boys is the debut studio album by the English rock band the Cure, released on 8 May 1979 by Fiction Records, and reached number 44 on the UK Albums Chart. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 C2, the rig we use for The Cure's other songs from Three Imaginary Boys, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "It's Not You" Tone
What guitar did The Cure use on "It's Not You"?
The guitar on "It's Not You" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "It's Not You" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6.5. 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 "It's Not You" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "It's Not You" 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 "It's Not You" by The Cure are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.