Fender Mustang GT40 settings
1979 settings for Fender Mustang GT40
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Fender Mustang GT40, select the Basic Brit Watts preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Standard Stratocaster HH · updated 2026-10-10
- Preset / mode
- Basic Brit Watts
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang GT40 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Chorus on
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level for a shimmering effect.
- Engage reverb for added depth, but keep it subtle to maintain clarity.
- Consider using a compression pedal to smooth out dynamics and enhance sustain.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang GT40 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 Mustang GT40 for 1979?
Start from the Basic Brit Watts preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, 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?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Standard Stratocaster HH. 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 Mustang GT40
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Creep · Radiohead
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
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.