1979 (Remastered 2012) Guitar Tone Settings
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Studio recording, 1995-1996 (Mellon Collie era). Billy Corgan used a Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups into a Marshall JCM800-style preamp (Salvation Mods clone) and Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp, into a Marshall 1960 4x12 cab. No fuzz or Big Muff on '1979' riff; clean/compressed tone. No chorus, flanger, or phaser audible in riff. Compression pedal may have been used, but sources suggest clean Strat into amp is sufficient.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Compression pedal (model unknown) · compression
Fender Stratocaster (Lace Sensor pickups, position 4) → Compression pedal (optional) → Marshall JCM800 preamp (Salvation Mods) → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp → Marshall 1960 4x12 cab (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- clean and shimmering
- glassy highs
- slightly compressed attack
- articulate and percussive
- rounded lows
- open and airy
- minimal breakup
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- subtle amp reverb
- studio clarity