GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Jellybelly (Remastered 2012) Guitar Tone Settings
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender American Vintage '57 Reissue Stratocaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock '57 reissue Strat pickups)
Amp
Marshall JCM 800 (1984 head, 'Soul Head') into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1995. Billy Corgan used his 'Soul Head' JCM 800 for about 30% of the album, with the rest through a Marshall rack preamp and Mesa/Boogie head. For 'Jellybelly' riff, the JCM 800 is most likely, as per Corgan's interview. Guitar is the '57 reissue Strat, as used for most heavy rhythm tracks on Mellon Collie.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely V7 OpAmp or Sovtek variant) · fuzz
- Alesis 3630 Compressor (rack unit, studio) · compression
Fender '57 Reissue Stratocaster → Big Muff Pi → Alesis 3630 Compressor → Marshall JCM 800 → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- dense and saturated
- tight and percussive
- midrange-forward
- aggressive pick attack
- compressed and sustaining
- minimal ambience
- articulate despite heavy gain
- slight top-end sizzle
- punchy low end
- wall-of-sound layering
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Jellybelly' found in sources; settings estimated based on typical JCM 800 usage for Pumpkins' rhythm tones in this era.
- Pedal models not explicitly listed for 'Jellybelly' riff; Big Muff Pi is highly likely based on era and sound, but not confirmed for this specific track/section.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, phaser) on the riff section; only fuzz/distortion is clearly audible.
- Presence and reverb settings estimated based on typical studio JCM 800 usage and the dry, direct sound of the recording.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jellybelly's riff tone is thick, aggressive, and saturated, typical of Corgan's late '95 Mesa/Marshall high-gain blend with mids pushed for cut and clarity, tight bass, and little to no reverb for a dry, in-your-face mix. The treble and presence are set high enough for articulation without harshness, matching the dense, forward mix of Mellon Collie.