Billy Duffy, guitarist for The Cult, recently shared insights into the making of the band’s iconic 1985 album Love, including his challenges with achieving the right guitar tone and the use of an unconventional amplifier during recording sessions.
The Cult, now a well-established name in rock, were among many bands vying for mainstream success in the mid-1980s. After their debut album Dreamtime, which saw modest success, the group aimed for a broader breakthrough. That moment arrived with the release of Love in 1985, propelled by standout singles like “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Rain.”
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Duffy discussed the gear he used while crafting the sound of Love. While standard equipment from that era, such as Marshall and Roland JC-120 amps, was part of the setup, Duffy noted one unusual addition to the mix.
“There would have been a Marshall, and there would have been a Roland JC-120, so that would have been my go-to setup,” Duffy explained. “But Ian also had this odd Yamaha that was a copy of a Fender Twin that I’ve never seen since. It had, like, red dials.”
Although Duffy didn’t specify the exact model, it’s believed he might have been referring to a Yamaha G100 or G50 from the 1980s. The “red dials” he mentioned could indicate the Mk3 version, which featured distinctive red knobs for presence and reverb. Interestingly, this Mk3 model is thought to have been released in 1986, after Love was recorded in 1985. Regardless, this series of solid-state amps is often considered an underrated gem, and its inclusion added an unusual flavor to The Cult’s sound.
Duffy also opened up about his personal struggles with getting a satisfying guitar tone during the album’s production. It wasn’t until producer Steve Brown got involved that things started to click. Together, they developed a layered sound that would define the album.
“But honestly, I remember not ever feeling comfortable with the tone until I blended all the amps together with various mics and distances,” Duffy recalled. “And Steve Brown was pretty mental — he’d basically go for anything. I think we might have taken everything we had and just blended them. It was basically like a wall of about four amps.”
Thanks to this experimental approach, Love achieved a unique sonic texture that helped elevate The Cult to a new level in their career. The blend of traditional gear with lesser-known equipment like the Yamaha amp, combined with Steve Brown’s fearless production style, contributed to the album’s enduring legacy.
