Tone library / The Cure / Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry amp settings — Kustom KGA 10

The The Cure guitar tone for “Boys Don't Cry”, dialed in for a Kustom KGA 10 with a Guild Surfliner. Studio version, Boys Don't Cry (1980 compilation, originally 1979 single)

Original rig

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (clean), Fender Jazzmaster with Top Twenty single-coil pickup, Boss CE-1 Chorus, analog delay, light reverb

Chiming, jangly, bright, chorus-drenched clean with spacious delay

Amp settings — Kustom KGA 10

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	1
Bass	4
Mid	5
Treble	7
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Analog Chorus (e.g., Boss CE-5, MXR Analog Chorus, TC Electronic Corona)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential to the tone; Smith kept chorus permanently engaged. A budget option like the Behringer UC200 or Joyo JF-05 will get you there.

Rate 4 · Depth 6 · Level 7

02Digital Delay (e.g., Boss DD-3, TC Electronic Flashback)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Adds the spacious, reflective quality. A simple delay around 300-400ms with moderate repeats.

E.Level 4 · F.Back 3 · D.Time 5 · Mode 0

Why these settings

The Kustom KGA 10 is a basic solid-state practice amp with limited EQ sculpting, similar in spirit to the JC-120's transistor cleanliness but without its onboard chorus or stereo width. Keep gain at absolute minimum for maximum clarity. Treble pushed to 7 compensates for the Surfliner's humbuckers being darker than Smith's single-coils; bass dropped to 4 prevents mud. Without chorus and delay pedals, this tone will sound thin and incomplete—those effects are non-negotiable for the Cure's early sound.

PRO TIPPlay with a light touch and let the strings ring out—Smith's attack is soft and even, almost like he's brushing the strings. The chime comes from sustain and effects, not from digging in. If you roll the tone knob back to 8, you'll tame any harshness from the bridge humbucker while keeping the jangle.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Kustom KGA 10. 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.