Tone library / The Cure / Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry amp settings — frontman10G idk

The The Cure guitar tone for “Boys Don't Cry”, dialed in for a frontman10G idk with a rockjam eletric guitar. Studio version, Boys Don't Cry single/compilation (1979-1980) — NOTE: original is clean, not distorted

Original rig

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (clean), Fender Jazzmaster (bridge pickup), Boss CE-1 Chorus, delay, reverb

Adapted distorted version of a naturally clean, chiming, jangly post-punk tone

Amp settings — frontman10G idk

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	4
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	5

Don’t have a frontman10G idk? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Frontman 10G is a small solid-state practice amp with limited headroom and no presence control. The original JC-120 tone is pristine clean with effects — your amp cannot replicate that shimmer. For your requested distorted take, gain at 4 provides mild grit without mush; treble at 7 and mid at 6 preserve the jangly bite of the original's single-coil character. Bass at 4 prevents the small speaker from farting out.

PRO TIPThe real Boys Don't Cry tone is 100% clean with chorus and delay — if you ever add a cheap multi-FX or even a phone app running chorus into your amp's input, roll gain back to 2 and you'll get dramatically closer to the actual recorded sound.

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These settings are for a frontman10G idk. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.