Fender Deluxe Reverb settings
1979 settings for Fender Deluxe Reverb
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Fender Deluxe Reverb, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-08-15
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Deluxe Reverb knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Consider using a compression pedal to smooth out dynamics and add sustain to your clean riff.
- Experiment with light chorus to add subtle shimmer and width to your clean tone.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Deluxe Reverb 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 Fender Deluxe Reverb settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5.
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 HSS Stratocaster. 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 Deluxe Reverb
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
- Crossroads · Cream
- R U Mine? · Arctic Monkeys
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- 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.