GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Tonight, Tonight (Remastered 2012) Guitar Tone Settings
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, 'Bat Strat')
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups
Amp
Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp (studio recording)
Pickup Position
Position 4 (neck + middle)
Studio recording for 'Tonight, Tonight' (1995, remastered 2012). Clean riff section. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this part. Billy Corgan is known to use his 'Bat Strat' with stock single coils for clean tones in this era.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb4.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- shimmering and orchestral
- bright and articulate
- lush and open
- clear note separation
- warm but not muddy
- slightly compressed
- dynamic and responsive
- studio reverb ambience
- classic alternative clean
- no audible distortion
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for the clean riff section; values are estimated based on typical Marshall JMP-1/Mesa Boogie clean settings for 90s alternative rock and Billy Corgan's known preferences.
- No explicit confirmation of pickup selector position, but Position 4 (neck + middle) is highly likely for the bright, glassy clean heard in the recording.
- No pedalboard or effect pedal is documented for this specific clean section; reverb is likely from the amp or studio.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the clean riff section; only reverb is clearly audible.
- Guitar model is inferred from era and Corgan's studio habits; Bat Strat with single coils is most probable.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Billy Corgan's 'Tonight, Tonight' riff uses a mid-forward, crunchy but not high-gain tone typical of his mid-90s Marshall JCM800/JMP setup, with moderate bass and treble for clarity and orchestral blend. The reverb is subtle, mostly from the mix, and presence is set to add air without harshness.