Tone library / The Smiths / Still Ill

Still Ill amp settings — Boss GT-1

The The Smiths guitar tone for “Still Ill”, dialed in for a Boss GT-1 with a Tagima TW61. Studio version, The Smiths debut album (1984)

Original rig

1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo into Fender Twin Reverb / Roland JC-120 with Boss CE-1 / CE-2 Chorus and Boss GE-6 EQ

Bright, chimey, jangly clean with fast transient pick attack and subtle analog chorus shimmer
Amp settings — Boss GT-1
CHANNELTWIN CLEAN (Fender '65 Twin Reverb model)BRIGHTonBOOSToff
GAIN 10 BASS 10 MID 10 TREBLE 10 PRESENCE 10 REVERB 10 MASTER 10
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain10
Bass10
Mid10
Treble10
Presence10
Reverb10
Master10
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Compressor Block (FX1)

Placed first to enhance percussive jangle and string-to-string balance

Sustain 45 · Attack 60 · Level 50

02Chorus Block (FX2 / Modulation)

Set as Boss CE-2 style analog chorus emulation

Rate 35 · Depth 45 · Level 50

03Spring Reverb Block

Simulates vintage Fender tube spring reverb tank

Time 28 · Tone 50 · Level 32
Why these settings

The TW61 P90 pickups have slightly thicker, grittier midrange than Marr's vintage Rickenbacker single coils, so selecting both pickups in parallel and setting Treble/Presence higher on the Twin model restores that glassy jangle. Keeping preamp gain low ensures pure clean headroom without solid-state clipping. The compressor block on the GT-1 mimics the snappy studio compression used on the early Rough Trade sessions.

PRO TIPPick vigorously near the bridge using a thin or medium pick (0.60–0.73mm) with quick, loose wrist strokes to replicate Johnny Marr's signature sparkling chord arpeggios.

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These settings are for a Boss GT-1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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