Here Is No Why (Live In Los Angeles, 2/4/96) — The Smashing Pumpkins1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

Here Is No Why (Live In Los Angeles, 2/4/96) Guitar Tone Settings

The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock

live

Original Recording

Guitar
Hamer Standard 'Checkerboard' (likely 1980s model, as used by Billy Corgan live in mid-90s)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers (bridge and neck, stock on Hamer Standard of this era)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp into Marshall JMP-1 Preamp (typical live rig for Mellon Collie era, 1996)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Live performance, Los Angeles, 2/4/96. Billy Corgan used the Hamer Standard with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups for most heavy rhythm work in this era. The amp setup was a Marshall JMP-1 preamp into a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp, into Marshall 4x12 cabinets. Effects were mostly pedal-based, with the Op-Amp Big Muff for distortion and Electric Mistress for modulation. No evidence of digital processors in this era. Settings estimated based on era and typical live rig, as no direct photo or interview from this specific show is available.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi · fuzz
  • Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger/Filter Matrix · flanger

Hamer Standard → Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi → Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress → Marshall JMP-1 Preamp → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp → Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

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Tone Character

  • wall of fuzzed-out sustain
  • thick, saturated rhythm tone
  • aggressive, compressed attack
  • mid-forward punch
  • tight, percussive palm muting
  • singing sustain on power chords
  • rich, harmonically complex fuzz
  • slightly scooped but present mids
  • crisp, articulate pick attack
  • dense, layered distortion

Sources