Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 settings
1979 settings for Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-08-31
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Contour
- 1
- Power control
- 3
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level for added shimmer.
- Engage the reverb to create a spacious feel in the clean riff.
- Play with a light touch to maintain clarity in the clean tone.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 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 Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1.5.
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?
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 Katana-50 EX Gen 3
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Unholy Confessions · Avenged Sevenfold
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Back In Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
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.