What type of guitar does Robert Smith play?

Robert Smith, the frontman of The Cure, plays a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. He is known for his trademark use of heavy chorus and delay effects pedals along with tremolo bar techniques. Smith has played his beloved white Strat since he joined the band in 1976 and it is one of the most iconic images associated with The Cure’s sound.

The Early Days: Robert Smith’s First Guitars

At the beginning of his musical career, Robert Smith was an ambitious musician with a dream of making it big in the music industry. During this time, he primarily relied on cheap instruments to start honing his craft. As a result, one of Smith’s first guitars was a vintage Fender Stratocaster from 1968 that he found at an antique shop. This guitar became especially important in the early stages of his development as a guitarist and songwriter.

In addition to the Fender Stratocaster, Smith also had a fondness for Gibson electric guitars, particularly Les Paul models such as the Les Paul Junior and Specials. Although these were more expensive than his Fender Stratocaster purchase, they allowed him to explore different tonal possibilities with greater ease. From there he moved onto newer innovations like the ES-335 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar which helped expand even further what he could do musically with less effort.

Throughout these days, Robert Smith continued to be creative and experiment with all sorts of sounds until finally reaching what we now know as The Cure’s signature sound – heavy reverb delays coupled with melodic lines that somehow manage to capture both melancholic feelings while still providing uplifting solos full of emotion. It is clear from this journey that without having access to certain types of guitars along the way none of this would have been possible.

The Cure’s Signature Sound: Smith’s Preferred Guitar Brands and Models

The Cure’s signature sound is heavily tied to the guitar sounds of Robert Smith. Smith has always had a deep affinity for Fender guitars and the combination of models he uses in different songs is one of the things that makes The Cure’s music so unique.

He typically prefers Stratocasters, Telecasters, and Jazzmasters; all of which produce a distinct tone that is part of his signature style. His most used guitar model over the years has been a vintage 1959 Fender Stratocaster, with two pickups instead of three like more modern Strats have. This guitar has been featured on countless hit singles including “Friday I’m in Love” and “Just Like Heaven”. He also owns a number or other classic models such as early 1970s Custom-Colored Telecaster Thinline with double humbuckers and rosewood fretboard, as well as mid-60s Super Reverb amplifiers for extra power.

Smith is not shy about trying out new guitar models either – he often tests out prototypes from various makers at events like NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) shows when looking for something special. For example, he reportedly played an ESP Eclipse II prototype during The Cure’s performance at Hyde Park in 2018 which eventually made it into production.

Effects Pedals and Amplifiers Used by Smith

When it comes to crafting an individual sound, Robert Smith is no stranger to the unique effects his setup gives him. With a signature blend of jangly guitars, reverb-soaked leads and harmonizing choruses, he’s developed a style that’s unmistakably his own. As far as what type of guitar does Robert Smith play? The answer would be Fender Stratocasters from the late 50s or early 60s. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle when discussing Smith’s sound – there are other factors in play too such as effects pedals and amplifiers used by Smith.

For years, Smith has relied on MXR phase 90 phaser pedal for his signature warbly clean tones on songs like “The Lovecats”. This pedal helps him add layers of texture onto his music without overwhelming the mix with too much distortion or sustain. He also uses a vintage Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz/distortion box to beef up some of those lead licks and give them extra oomph during live performances. To top it all off, he runs all these pedals through a classic VOX AC30 amplifier which allows him to get that British Invasion tone into many of his tracks.

Smith isn’t afraid to experiment with new technology either; ever since the rise of digital amp modeling processors in the 90s he’s been integrating them into his setup alongside traditional analog pedals and amps. Although it may take some time for fans to adjust at first, ultimately this newfound hybrid approach makes sense considering Smith’s preference for experimentation within each song rather than relying on any single piece of equipment exclusively.

Live Performances: Unique Instruments and Variations on the Standard Set-Up

Robert Smith is a master of the guitar, having played the instrument with the Cure since their early days in 1977. While most fans know what type of guitar he plays – an Ibanez RG Series electric – there’s more to it than just that one model. When it comes to live performances, Robert employs a variety of instruments and alternative set-ups for his sound.

While on stage, Smith will often use multiple guitars at once, typically a Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul. This allows him to mix different tones from each instrument into his overall sound without the need for extra effects or pedals. He’s been known to break out 12-string acoustics like Martin D45s as well as custom hollowbody electrics made by Ibanez specifically for him. In addition to these more traditional guitars, Smith also incorporates synthesizers and keyboards into some songs in order to create unique textures throughout his setlists.

Robert has gone beyond even these unique instruments during his performances; he often makes modifications directly to his existing guitars before going on stage with them. He will swap out pickups and change tunings while playing live in order add something new to songs that have been part of The Cure’s repertoire for decades. These changes are subtle yet incredibly effective at taking familiar tunes and making them stand out even further within a live setting – something only someone as experienced as Robert can pull off.

Iconic Tracks: Guitar Solos and Riffs That Defined Smith’s Style

Robert Smith of The Cure is well known for his iconic guitar solos and riffs that have defined the gothic rock genre. His style often incorporates intricate fretwork, as heard on tracks like “The Hanging Garden” and “A Forest.” He also employs alternate tuning in some of his pieces, such as on their hit single “Just Like Heaven,” where he uses a drop-D tuning.

Smith’s main weapon of choice is a Fender Stratocaster with two humbucking pickups. This combination allows him to generate both the crunchy distorted tones found on songs like “Pictures Of You” and shimmering clean sounds as featured on track’s like “Lovesong.” He also frequently uses delays and other effects pedals to craft interesting sonic textures within his solos.

Another significant element of Smith’s sound is his use of fingerstyle playing. This technique brings an organic quality to many of his licks, adding nuance to traditional strumming patterns and allowing Smith to express himself more fully through nuanced melodic phrases. It can be heard prominently on classic singles such as “Boys Don’t Cry” or “Friday I’m In Love,” among others.