Hummer Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Studio recording for Siamese Dream (1992-1993). Billy Corgan double-tracked and layered guitars. Main riff tone is the classic Pumpkins 'wall of fuzz' sound, achieved with a Stratocaster with Lace Sensor Red in the bridge, into a vintage Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff, into a cranked Marshall JCM800. No chorus or modulation on the riff section. All evidence points to the Op-Amp Big Muff as the primary distortion/fuzz source for the riff. Studio, not live.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Op-Amp, late 70s/early 80s version) · fuzz
Fender Stratocaster (Lace Sensor Red bridge) → Big Muff Op-Amp → Marshall JCM800 2203 head → Marshall 4x12 cab (amp spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- massive wall of fuzz
- saturated and sustaining
- tight, compressed rhythm
- mid-forward punch
- harmonic richness
- percussive attack
- slight top-end sizzle
- layered, thick distortion
- not scooped
- no modulation on riff