Boss GX-1 settings
1979 settings for Boss GX-1
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Boss GX-1, use the MARSHALL 1959 amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 2, 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
updated 2026-10-06
- Amp model
- MARSHALL 1959
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 4x12 closed back
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 2
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5.5
- Original drive
- 2
Effects chain
- 1compressionCompressorLevel 5 · Ratio 4 · Attack 5 · Release 5
- 2modulationChorusMix 5 · Rate 4 · Depth 5
- 3reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 3
Playing tips
- Use a light touch to maintain the clean, shimmery quality of the tone.
- Consider using a compressor to enhance sustain and even out dynamics.
- Experiment with slight fingerpicking for a more nuanced attack.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-1 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 GX-1 for 1979?
Use the MARSHALL 1959 (clean channel) with Drive 2, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, followed by Compressor, 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?
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 GX-1
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Highway to Hell · 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.