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Heavy Metal Machine — The Smashing Pumpkins1 / 2
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Heavy Metal Machine Guitar Tone Settings — The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Reverend Billy Corgan Signature (likely prototype or early production, as used on Machina sessions)
Pickups
Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Humcutter (bridge position, humbucker-sized P90-style)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204, as used in studio for Machina era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1999-2000 Machina sessions. Billy Corgan is known for using his signature Reverend guitar with Railhammer pickups and Marshall JCM800 amps for the heavy riff sections on Machina. No evidence of fuzz or distortion pedals for the main riff; distortion is from cranked amp. Effects are minimal for riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
5
Bass
6
Gain
8.5
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • extreme and cutting
  • aggro-sludgy
  • explosive, heavy riff
  • pure power
  • high-gain saturation
  • tight palm-muted chugs
  • compressed, thick low end
  • razor-sharp high end
  • mid-scooped aggression
  • percussive attack

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No specific numeric amp settings for 'Heavy Metal Machine' found; settings estimated based on Marshall JCM800 typical usage for Pumpkins/Machina era and genre.
  • ⚠️No evidence of fuzz/distortion pedals for riff; distortion is from cranked Marshall amp as per multiple interviews.
  • ⚠️Exact pickup selector not confirmed, but bridge pickup is standard for this riff style and tone.
  • ⚠️No pedalboard or effect settings for this specific song/section found; Eventide H9 and Line 6 HX Effects mentioned for other tracks, but not for this riff.
  • ⚠️If alternate gear or settings are found in future, update accordingly.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Billy Corgan's 'Heavy Metal Machine' tone is extremely saturated and aggressive, typical of late-90s Pumpkins with high gain, tight low end, and slightly forward mids for clarity. The bass is controlled to avoid muddiness, treble and presence are boosted for cut, and the tone is bone-dry with no reverb, matching the industrial/metal production style of 'Machina.'

Sources