Blackstar Debut 15E settings
1979 settings for Blackstar Debut 15E
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Blackstar Debut 15E, set Gain 4, Volume 6, Isf 5, Tone 6. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V · updated 2026-10-18
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Debut 15E knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Volume
- 6
- Isf
- 5
- Tone
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a light touch for a clean, shimmery tone.
- Focus on finger placement for clarity in the riff.
- Experiment with slight palm muting for dynamic variations.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Debut 15E actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 (modded with KT88 tubes, as used on Mellon Collie sessions)
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 2.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get 1979 adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Smashing Pumpkins's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Blackstar Debut 15E settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Volume 6, Isf 5, Tone 6.
Which pickup should I use for 1979?
Neck + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Smashing Pumpkins use on 1979?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio). Amp: Marshall JCM800 (modded with KT88 tubes, as used on Mellon Collie sessions).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
1979 on other amps
Popular songs on the Blackstar Debut 15E
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Creep · Radiohead
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.