How to Dial In "Piggy in the Mirror" by The Cure - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Piggy in the Mirror"
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 The Top (1984). The Top is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Cure, released on 4 May 1984 by Fiction Records. 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 The Top, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Piggy in the Mirror" Tone
What guitar did The Cure use on "Piggy in the Mirror"?
The guitar on "Piggy in the Mirror" (released 1984) 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 "Piggy in the Mirror" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Volume 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 "Piggy in the Mirror" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Piggy in the Mirror" 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 "Piggy in the Mirror" by The Cure are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.