Fender Mustang I settings
1979 settings for Fender Mustang I
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Fender Mustang I, select the FENDER CLEAN preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Preset select 0, Modulation select 1. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-11-05
- Preset / mode
- FENDER CLEAN
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang I knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Preset select
- 0
- Modulation select
- 1
- Delay reverb select
- 0
Built-in effects
- Chorus on
- Reverb on (Spring) · 1.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a low level for subtle shimmer.
- Engage light compression if available to smooth out dynamics.
- Keep your picking light and articulate to maintain clarity in the riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang I 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 I for 1979?
Start from the FENDER CLEAN preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Preset select 0, Modulation select 1.
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?
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 I
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- 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.