Boss GT-1000 settings
1979 settings for Boss GT-1000
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 13 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Boss GT-1000, use the BRIT STACK (Marshall 1959) amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24 · updated 2026-11-07
- Amp model
- BRIT STACK (Marshall 1959)
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 4
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5.5
Effects chain
- 1compressionBOSS COMP (BOSS CS-3)Level 5 · Attack 5 · Sustain 6
- 2modulationCHORUSMix 5 · Rate 4 · Depth 5
- 3reverbSPRINGMix 3 · Decay 2.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a light touch for a clean, shimmery tone.
- Experiment with fingerstyle for a more delicate attack.
- Consider using a compressor to enhance sustain and clarity.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GT-1000 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 amp model should I use on the Boss GT-1000 for 1979?
Use the BRIT STACK (Marshall 1959) (clean channel) with Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, followed by BOSS COMP (BOSS CS-3), CHORUS, SPRING.
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 PRS SE Custom 24. 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 Boss GT-1000
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.