How to Dial In "The Caterpillar" by The Cure - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Caterpillar"
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). A bright, bouncy pop song with a jangly guitar part. A Fender Jazzmaster is Robert Smith's long-time main guitar, and the solid-state Roland JC-120 is the amp tied to the early Cure records. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so a Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster into a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the bridge pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "The Caterpillar" Tone
What guitar did The Cure use on "The Caterpillar"?
The guitar on "The Caterpillar" (released 1984) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "The Caterpillar" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3, Bass 4.5, Mid 5, Treble 7.5, 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 "The Caterpillar" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Caterpillar" 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 "The Caterpillar" by The Cure are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.