Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 settings
1979 settings for Boss Katana Artist Gen 3
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Boss Katana Artist Gen 3, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Resonance 4. 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 2026-09-24
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Resonance
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Contour
- 0
- Solo level
- 0
- Bloom switch
- 1
- Power control
- 2
- Variation switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to recreate the shimmering effect.
- Engage the bloom switch for enhanced response and feel in the clean tone.
- Keep the guitar volume high for clarity and presence in the mix.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana Artist 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 Artist Gen 3 settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, Resonance 4.
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 Boss Katana Artist Gen 3
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Unholy Confessions · Avenged Sevenfold
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Floods · Pantera
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Back In Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · 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.