GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Cherub Rock Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1988-89 American Standard, with Lace Sensor pickups)
Pickups
Fender Lace Sensor Blue (neck), Silver (middle), Red (bridge)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (modified with KT88 power tubes), Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Lace Sensor Red)
Studio recording, 1992-1993 for Siamese Dream. Billy Corgan used a Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups, an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (op-amp version), and a Marshall JCM800 modified with KT88 tubes for increased headroom. Rhythm guitars were heavily layered in the studio. No evidence of live/touring gear or other amps for this specific riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Op-Amp, 'IC' version) · fuzz
- MXR Phase 90 (likely) · phaser
Fender Stratocaster (Lace Sensor Red bridge pickup) → Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Op-Amp) → MXR Phase 90 (subtle) → Marshall JCM800 2203 (KT88 tubes) → Marshall 4x12 cab
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Tone Character
- massive, saturated fuzz
- thick, sustaining power chords
- aggressive attack
- tight low end
- layered wall of sound
- clear note definition despite heavy gain
- slight phaser swirl
- compressed, focused midrange
- punchy and articulate
- notably smooth, violin-like sustain
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 1990s alt-rock and confirmed gear.
- Pedal settings for the Big Muff (op-amp) are not specified in sources; typical settings for this tone are all knobs around noon to 2 o'clock.
- Phaser is audible in the recording but not confirmed by studio documentation; included based on audio evidence and period-typical gear.
- Exact pickup selector position is not explicitly documented, but bridge pickup is most likely based on tone and Corgan's known preferences.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Billy Corgan used a high-gain, mid-forward Marshall JCM800 with a Big Muff for 'Cherub Rock,' resulting in a saturated, punchy tone with strong mids and tight lows; reverb is minimal as the track is quite dry and direct, with presence and treble set high enough for clarity but not harshness.