Chasing Guitar Tones-The Cult, "Love Removal Machine"

One of my favorite Iconic guitar tones, Billy Duffy's work on The Cult's Electric album shaped a huge part of my chase for tone as a wee lad. Still to this day, the album and the songs on the album are quite inspirational to me.
In this video, I'm attempting to chase those tones, but only with a pedal and a clean amp.
Question of the day: What gear would or do YOU use to get this type of tone?
UPDATE from Billy Duffy of The Cult:
"Just to reaffirm that from memory the whole essence of the recording was purity ....24 track analogue only mixed on same board and same studio and the sounds were all as “honest” as could be...... much time was spent (by andy wallace) actually reducing the gain on the amps to allow the chords to “ring out and chime” ...purity and method were the keys to this recording..... so it all boiled down to the right amp and cab with correct mike(s) and the les paul... no pedals used at all on the session apart from a wah where obvious on certain tracks...."

[@franktarant6033]

I always thought The Cult was way underrated, thank you for putting together this great breakdown! \W/

[@lucianoreginald9276]

@Yael Yahir Definitely, I have been watching on Flixzone for years myself :D

[@planzed463]

Totally agree, great band!

[@grajmahal]

One of my top 5 albums ever made. This was Rick Rubin production/ Andy Wallace mixing at it's best. Rumor has it that Rubin's main impetus was to emulate the sound and feel of Back in Black- and whether it's true or not, it totally sounds like it. And yes, this is one of those albums where every single song is awesome and just seems to all work together. It's like an unintentional concept album, just brilliant. And when you consider where the Cult came from prior to creating this, you wonder how Rubin envisioned these guys to transform into something so different from what they were. I'm glad to see that others appreciate Electric as much as I do. Seems like it's kind of forgotten, but it's been a huge influence to how I play guitar. Hearing LRM broken down has me appreciating the mix on this album even more- the guitar has so much raunch but so much clarity. It really makes me want to study this even further to see how I can make guitar on my mixes have these qualities.

[@rickb.4168]

I prefer some of the manor session tracks, prior to Rick Rubin. Horses for courses.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

He took the same tact with the first Danzig records (especially I) and it works so well there too.

[@theyoungupstarts1243]

Well said - the sound and guitars are rockin’ but not so distorted (gain) that they wash out. The solid, driving bass and drums make a perfect palette for the guitars. Oh yeah, the vocals…. ; ^ )

[@dathorndike4908]

That mix they got was like nothing before or since. It is as pure rock n roll as it gets. It could not sound any better

[@einaroneeye]

That was an awesome breakdown of the track and the quest for getting the sound. Very cool.

[@planzed463]

Great video, thanks man, hope you’re well. I was 16 in ‘87... I’d followed the Cult since they were Southern Death Cult but you are so right, this album is sensational Cult!! What a band! What time to be alive

[@theyoungupstarts1243]

Just found this. Excellent technical breakdown, nerdy in the best possible way: research, analysis + skillz!

[@melvoid01]

If you never noticed the claps before its probably cos you didn't have the 12" mix that I had, it was very upfront on that. And I actually saw Billy perform with Theatre of Hate at the Lyceum in London before he joined the Cult, check out some of his stuff with them. Yes I am old :0 also saw Billy with the Cult on the Sonic Temple tour awesome. Anyone who likes The Cult is ok by me, hell you could do an entire series on Billy Duffy and his tones through the ages of The Cult and I would watch em all.

[@KevPez-IS]

The tones on this album are phenomenal.

[@damagedave]

“Electric” blew my mind in the same way. Just raw and it seemed fresh in the middle of all the Van Halenesque stuff everyone else was doing at the time . Then they out out Sonic Temple and you could tell the A&R was all “listen guys you could be the next Winger” you could tell the label just sucked out what made them THEM. It was a great album too, but it had lost that “kids in the garage” vibe that made Electric so exciting

[@planzed463]

On point, did you ever hear “the Manor Sessions”?

[@dathorndike4908]

Sonic Temple had decent songs but that mix was like a dry fart

[@dwtn81]

‘Wild Flower’ is my everyday practice song. ‘Electric’ was the album that made me a fan of The Cult. Promotional tour was great! With Guns ‘n’ Roses as the opening band, you can’t go wrong! 😉

[@wampler_pedals]

Question of the day: What gear would or do YOU use to get this type of tone? (Edit: update from Billy Duffy from the cult in the description!)

[@islanderwinder]

Low wound pickups ..Gretsch Filtertrons & an old Marshall

[@directassault1662]

My Cult tone is a Duffy White Falcon->Green Rhino->Mild Reverb->BDRI

[@axeman7352]

Pure drive NOC3 OD pedal in front of jvm410hjs with Keeley 30ms double tracker reverb

[@scottt9382]

BOSS Metal Zone

[@Tom_Platz]

My Friedman BE100 with the gain structure switch in the lowest setting, gain around 10 or 11 o'clock and a Les Paul.

[@mattgilbert7347]

If you want Duffy's tone you *have* to put one foot on the foldback and make Rock Face. Robert Smith said that a lot of recorded Cure guitar tones are slightly off 440. I seem to recall him saying in an interview that they would mix guitars in standard at 440 with overdubbed guitars that had several strings tuned just a hair off standard, to accentuate the chorus effects.

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

Dubbing additional guitars tuned a few cents up (and down) creates a chorusing effect. They probably did it to get a stronger thickening effect than just doubling would achieve.

[@daveg4236]

I do the same thing in the studio and also bump overdubbbed guitars a few ms to get that delay effect as well. Subtle but makes a difference

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Those lead vocal tracks are so killer.

[@jatin7361]

Absolutely fell in love with the Cult when I heard this album. Great tone chase on this one, Brian! I'd love to hear you take on another band from that era, Jane's Addiction and the Nothing's Shocking album.

[@fearlessfrankie6479]

Brian you got one of my favorite guitarists on the spotlight.You also picked one of best tracks on the album the other one I love is "Outlaw". You should get one of Billy's mate from Manchester on a song & artist tone that is Johnny Marr !! Keep it up Brian!! Love your work!

[@chrissoares23]

Andy Wallace is a master mixer. So many great albums. If you're not familiar with Wallace's work look him up on Wikipedia, you'll be amazed. Thanks Brian, this was awesome!

[@paulkielt9301]

That "Love Removal Machine" guitar riff, reminds me of The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" song!

[@levicoats]

I’ve always liked the cults guitar tone.

[@michaelcarey9359]

Me too... but pre "Sonic Temple" when they were their own band.

[@siobanbreunig9744]

Ian’s voice sounds so cool isolated like that....

[@Gonzo2707]

Favourite tone from my favourite song by one of my all time favourite bands 🤩. Thanks, Brian!

[@ralphballinger2159]

This is awesome. Wish you would go back to Love and do “She Sells Sanctuary”. That’s what got me into The Cult.

[@raindogred]

Wow Brian..nailed it right there on the tone!!! great breakdown. Back in the day I played in a band called the headstones who supported the cult (electric tour) for 3 gigs when they played my state in Australia. each night nearing the end of their set they smashed all their gear...insanity. we were told at the time they had been grinding it out for a long time, and were over touring...their plan was to keep breaking hire gear till they got kicked off tour..think it worked. What a band, and what a spectacle!!! that album is AWSOME and definitely one of my favourites ...all killer no filler...wild flower, peace dog, lil' devill...the hits just keep coming..one of my favourite pieces of vinyl ever.

[@JD196865]

Ok. I never comment on videos so this is like seeing a unicorn. Great band and great song! Thank you for the videos and the great pedals. I own several. I particularly enjoy how you and most of the other pedal gurus are supportive of one another in the pedal community. Refreshing. How great was it to get a note from Billy Duff!

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks! I’ve known Billy for a year or two now, he’s a great guy! It’s always awesome when your guitar heroes turn out to be wonderful people in general

[@GIBKEL]

It’s one of those albums that you never forget when the needle lands. Blew my mind too! I worked in a record store when this came out and we had a killer sound system as the guy that owned the store had a hifi store connecting it. You would get these albums as promos...Canadian cut vinyl (?) and cassettes(definitely higher quality than the US made) and you know favorite sounds, sometimes natural, sometimes man made and that sound of needle touching down followed by some epic groove, guitar riff or epic stereo phasing synth....aural Nirvana. Janes Addiction’s ‘Summertime Rolls’ then into ‘Mountain Song’.....songs and albums that make you question what the hell you’ve been listening to. There albums that are just nostalgic and others that still get you in the gut. I had a similar experience putting on a my old cassette of AC/DC’s high voltage. Do you believe you can get 90% there(sound at least, if not feel) on just about any amp or are there bridges that can’t be crossed?

[@ebeep]

Good lord, that isolated guitar track! Da best.

[@richarde5718]

I understand exactly what you mean, when I heard this album I fell in love, and went on to try and learn the whole thing

[@maverickminstrel1557]

Mr Duffy learnt to play just well enough yo keep it simple and firect!...pure rock n roll & I love it!

[@Kurt1969]

Oh yeah. Killer album. Brings me back to my college days and spring break in Colorado! lol Great breakdown.

[@CyberneticArgumentCreator]

The detuned guitars were to create stereo spread and natural thickness/chorus. If memory serves, Tom Scholz of Boston invented many of these techniques on Boston’s first albums to make that HUGE rhythm sound. I use the PS-6 and its -5cents/+5cents stereo detune to play with this sound live into stereo amps. Rock on, Brian.

[@mike_w_21]

"He brings the rock." He does indeed Sir! Great vid - I'll be looking for one of these pedals now to create that tone.

[@sleggarri]

This has always been one of my favorite guitar tones, aside from early VH. My errors in trying to duplicate it were chiefly due to a pickup (Dimarzio X2N) that was too hot and a high gain setting on my amp. It simply did not occur to me to roll my gain back and switch to a low output (PAF type) humbucker for years.....It was a less forgiving set-up, which forced me to become a better player and helped me achieve those elusive tones. Billy Duffy's tone was akin to that of AC DC, but fuller, rounder and more colorful. You've done an outstanding job matching it with your gear, Brian.

[@telejas]

I remember being 15 years old, and my dad picking me up in his Camaro IROC-Z... Saying 'check this band out"! Cruising around with the t-tops out, Jammin The Cult ! I have loved them ever since! My dad's now 72... And still loves music like this.

[@davidgamboa918]

Your dad ROCKS ! Can I get a YeahYa

[@ebeep]

Great playing and fantastic tones from that Plexi Drive Deluxe! Crazy close and would be virtually indistinguishable with a touch more top-end dialed in. I like this new concept: dial in these pinnacle guitar tones and get them under your fingers using Wampler pedals.

[@mr.banana4893]

That's one of the hippest rock albums of all time. Super underrated, only for those when got it. Thanks sooooo much for doing this tone. I always found it a hard one to get. I'd say as difficult as Van Halen's original brown sound before he developed that cookie cutter amp of his. You all know what I mean.

[@kilgoretrout700]

I had a blast with this video! Keep 'em coming.

[@GLYDR]

You look like me, never would've noticed that chorus riff was tuned up, I think you got the tuning spot on and as close as anyone I've heard on the tone.

[@addicted2tone349]

I saw them in 1989 with Bonham and Tora Tora.. The Cult that night was easily one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Billys tone amazing, it's one of the quintessential rock tones.

[@alanhoggard4554]

One of the best albums of all time. The CD is in my car right now. Wildflower kicks ass too.

[@chaybeez]

This was one of the first albums I ever bought as a kid... still love it and have multiple copies on vinyl, cassette, CD all over the place... thanks for this.

[@stevemaass3074]

Great band, great album, great song. And great video, Brian. 👍

[@alanhoggard4554]

One of the greatest records ever! Totally changed how I play guitar back in the 80s.

[@ddactar]

Awesome! saw them open for Billy Idol on that tour.. i just tweek my amp and tome buttons to get close.

[@dathorndike4908]

The panning effect they used on this album is genius.

[@douglaschristine8387]

Fantastic show my friend and one of my favorite bands and album. I like how you separate the instrument and vocal parts, good stuff. For a time that was mostly hair metal and punk, this album was needed for us rockers. Keep'em coming, please. Thanks. Sorry I don't use pedals , yet.

[@najecram]

Brian!!!!!!!! This video is the video of the year. I love this group and this album so much, thank you so much. By the way, I’m buying your pedal right away!

[@23skidoo46]

for me when this came out it blew me away. I loved their debut, but, this one put them more into my realm. Hard rock. great album.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

Wonderful breakdown! My favorite guitar tone is actually a The Cult song: She Sells Sanctuary. It's so clear and punchy, with wonderful definition and just sounds HUGE!

[@Finom1]

The Timbre is dead on!!! Well done Brian.

[@Superjet113]

This is the best series ever!

[@FeelingShred]

Along with Rick Beato's channel (stems)

[@artiefufkin3292]

I thought the intro was the song, you've nailed that tone!

[@teddydavis3504]

Absolutely! Billy Duffy brings the rock.

[@adam872]

That tone is so Malcolm Young and it's great. Love this track. Not too much gain and each note just sings.

[@dathorndike4908]

You can hear that bleed through when you isolate the tracks which is a great part of the mix. That comes from the whole band performing the track together when its being recorded. And that room ambient mic you mentioned.

[@boyer1699]

thanks brian this album is one of my new favorites! had it on repeat for the last few months. thanks for the recommendation!

[@aj81ds]

I was just listening to The Cult’s Electric earlier today. Duffy’s tone on that record is amazing. I totally agree that Electric is All Killer and No Filler. Even thought I’m just an open chord punk rocker this record gets me fired up to pick up the guitar. I also have been on the fence about getting a Plexi Drive Dlx b/c of the price since I have a tone I like with my LTD EC-256 gtr and newly acquired Harley Benton SC Special P90gtr. I also use a Vox V112NT 1x12 w/ Greenback spkr, Blackstar HT1R with gain, volume & ISF eq just under 11, reverb just under 3, EP Booster (always on), Behringer EQ pedal as my second channel. I’m going to use this video as a how to and try and learn this song. Finally, I’m sold on that Plexi Drive Dlx. Thank you.

[@happydommo]

What a great subject for a video. Massively underrated guitarist...

[@jeffcomeau4680]

Great video.. Brian!! Thanks. Totally enjoyed it. I agree with your opening comments too... Every song on that album is killer. I totally connected with it when it came out. Keep up the great work.

[@pcbullets8726]

Great video! A jcm 800 and a les paul is what I used when I played this song out years ago. I have heard of a few bands that do the slightly out of tune thing with guitars to give it a fatter chorusy sound(the band Helmet uses this trick on the album Meantime).

[@guitarmixvids]

Love these Chasing Tone videos! This is the kind of stuff that has always fascinated me ever since I was a 14yr old kind listen to rock records and try to figure out how they played and recorded everything so cool! Thanks for the awesome content and inspiration!

[@guitarmixvids]

I really ought to proofread my comments before posting haha... here's to typos and broken english! *kid *listening *trying

[@davidsmithweck2412]

"it's not a virtuoso thing....in a sea of shredding guitar players"....I love that point of view, thank you Brian! Billy went for the ACDC Malom/Angus Young instead of the EVH Clones (nothing against EVH BTW!!)

[@thelowertownsound]

This whole video was awesome. And great work on the solo!

[@markrosenquist8259]

Wow! Very cool! Electric and Love are my favorite albums from the Cult. Great breakdown! I’m pretty sure he used a Roland JC-120

[@ultravirez]

Blew my mind too..Raw is the word.

[@markdakel9253]

That was awesome, can’t wait to you do you next one. great playing 🤘🤘

[@paulbrown6554]

Brilliant work sounds amazing👌🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@starrguitarworks]

You are correct, sir. EVERY song on Electric is superb. Cheers!

[@johncaldwell1512]

Outstanding brother!! Love this song and album!

[@simonfreer9076]

Awesome and chill as always Brian

[@markusantonio4866]

Electric is a classic for sure! Aphrodisiac Jacket is amazing! The guitar solo is fantastic, and he holds the notes and tone.

[@joearruda177]

Thank you so much by parting it out and showing us all the different parts and changes some of us don't have computers to split apart so much easier to hear all parts that way I'm still standing in front of the stereo playing my bass thank you

[@evanmiller2579]

So we must be brothers from another mother. Band I was in back in high school could have been labeled a Cult tribute band. I learned every song on Electric from start to finish. Whenever I warm up to this day I rip through a few Billy licks. I even go a little newer with some “Rise”. Well done sir. Currently running an Equator, Paisley deluxe, and an Ego Compressor. Sunset drive into a Dr Z Ems comes pretty close to that tone. Feel like I need the Plexi deluxe now.

[@alsmith3770]

Awesome. I’ve just used the isolated guitar to work out some of the licks I couldn’t quite hear properly. This is such a fantastic video

[@cmikesmith664]

Billy Duffy is very underrated!

[@JeffCJacobs1]

definitely!!

[@planzed463]

Definitely

[@markrosenquist8259]

Definitely

[@mattstanley8944]

Outstanding video ! Thank you so much !!! 🤘🏻

[@mr.richiej6546]

this Album and I know it was heavily produced but I loved it as well Sonic Temple . Thanks for Rockin some Cult

[@raymondrester3582]

I just want to know where he gets the isolated Tracks in Logic for these songs? Can I get them too, please???

[@Fabiano.Bittencourt]

That makes two of us

[@stevewalther2293]

I felt exactly the same thing when I first heard The Cult Electric.

[@playAgainMe]

thx for posting one of my favorite bands

[@danieljoe3000]

Never listened to the cult but will give them a listened after this. That guitar is sick

[@dathorndike4908]

90's producer/ engineer Brendan O'Brien made a career of mixing albums in this same style. Ambience, room tone, full band performing, few overdubs, few takes, a tone of mics....

[@longwhip]

I LOVE THIS NEW BREAK DOWN FORUM!!!!! NICE WORK HOOSIER!!!

[@vinceodle9282]

Love it I did not know there was that Bear Billy Duffy was doing that many variables to create a song

[@barusinue]

Wow, this album was one of the very first I ever listened to! Here in Brazil, I remember my sister bought a Compact Disk of it in late 90s. I can't remember if it was a gift of if I stole. Anyways, great video and great guitar tone! Now I'll have to listen again to this album and I'm pretty sure I know the entire songs sequence and guitar parts... Oh, man!

[@JWCFB]

Great song and video. Thank you.

[@bradh6185]

The producer of whoever was responsible for the clapping and out of tune guitars was obviously some kind of genius- or had invaluable training. It adds magic to the song without anyone knowing. Blows me away.

[@FeelingShred]

King's X Ty Tabor uses solid state amps. One of the most mysterious tones for me is Extreme's "Waiting For The Punchline"

[@Bastion71]

Necroposting, but really cool video. I never realized the chorus was tuned up, just figured I was doing something wrong. I love Electric. I didn't discover it until 89. I too was deep in the throes of worshipping the guitar gods, yngvie, vai and satriani. This album showed me that simple songs could absolutely rock out.

[@eddiethompson6028]

One of the best Hard rock albums of all time.

[@TheBenb1999]

Great video, this song has an amazing riff!

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

That outro solo is straight out of Ace Frehley lore.

[@mitchmason8386]

Thanks buddy

[@Ycjedi]

I love the PlexiDrive Deluxe! I stack it in front of a Tumnus through a '73 Bassman or a Hot Rod Deville

[@dmac-333]

I wore the vinyl out on this one back in the day. Played it for the first time in ages a few weeks ago, forgot how damn good it is. Brian's right, listen to it front to back, it rocks.

[@davidsmithweck2412]

I saw The Cult live (opened for Metallica on the Justice tour) - Billy Duffy was playing a blond Les Paul. Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) was guest guitarist (Les Paul Deluxe)!

[@pow3866]

Funny....I’ve been re-visiting The Cult Ceremony lately. I felt the same way about The Cult.

[@blackinblue11]

Such a great great misheard overlooked album, massive sound!

[@McFlySwatter]

One of my favorite "perfect" albums, along with the likes of AcDc's Back In Black, Billy Squire's Don't Say No, and many others.

[@michaeljohn8905]

I heard love removal machine for the first time and i was stunned it was so damn good. I really got into them when LOVE came it was a game changer ! I was a dedicated fan after that. I got to see them live in Argentina circa 06 when my then GF Saved enough cigarette (coupons) 😂 And i got to go to this AMAZING show albeit (not short but not long ) a better than good show. I came out of this show mid fall sweating nada off in a place that barely held 800 people and was jamm packed !!

[@CorbCorbin]

Damn Brian! You nailed that solo!

[@dktice7011]

Brian my story is almost identical to yours I was eating up speed hair band metal and in walks my brother with The Cult Electric cassette BOOM!!!! mind blowing rock!

[@danfango1333]

I woulda just plugged in a Boss Powerstack and gone for it. Cheap and works a treat.