GuitarDistortedRiff
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
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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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
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio