Fender Champion 50XL settings
1979 settings for Fender Champion 50XL
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Fender Champion 50XL, select the FENDER CLEAN preset, then set Gain 4, Volume 6, Bass 5, Treble 6, Voice 1, Fx level 5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jaguar · updated 2026-08-27
- Preset / mode
- FENDER CLEAN
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7 · Volume 8-9
Fender Champion 50XL knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Volume
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Voice
- 1
- Fx level
- 5
- Ch select
- 0
- Fx select
- 1
- Tap tempo
- 0
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 reverb for a spacious feel, but keep it subtle.
- Consider using a compression pedal to smooth out dynamics.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Champion 50XL 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 preset should I use on the Fender Champion 50XL for 1979?
Start from the FENDER CLEAN preset, then set Gain 4, Volume 6, Bass 5, Treble 6, Voice 1, Fx level 5.
Which pickup should I use for 1979?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7 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 Classic Vibe '60s Jaguar. 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 Fender Champion 50XL
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- Creep · Radiohead
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
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.