Blackstar Debut 50R settings
1979 settings for Blackstar Debut 50R
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Blackstar Debut 50R, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Isf 5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Affinity Series Telecaster · updated 2026-09-27
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Debut 50R knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Isf
- 5
- Power reduction
- 1
- Clean bright switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Engage the bright switch on your amp to enhance the clarity and shimmer of the clean tone.
- Consider using a compressor pedal to smooth out dynamics and add sustain to your riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Debut 50R 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 50R settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Isf 5.
Which pickup should I use for 1979?
Neck pickup, 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 Squier Affinity Series Telecaster. 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 50R
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.