New Wave1983

How to get the Every Breath You Take guitar tone

The Police

Clean, glassy, and completely unforgiving of sloppy technique — that's the honest short version. The mids are pushed forward, giving it that cutting, slightly nasal character — the note finds its own space in a mix. Layer in chorus and room reverb and the whole thing takes on a dimension you can't get from the amp alone.

Gear used on the recording

GuitarVersatile (Stratocaster or HSS Superstrat)
AmpFender clean (Deluxe / Twin Reverb)
EffectsChorus

Key tone characteristics

Ready to dial it in?

Get these settings for your gear

We'll match the Every Breath You Take tone profile to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals — recommended knob positions, not approximations.

Get These Settings For My Gear

Similar tones you might like