Fender Twin Reverb Silverface settings
1979 settings for Fender Twin Reverb Silverface
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Fender Twin Reverb Silverface, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Bright switch 1. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-09-19
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Twin Reverb Silverface knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Bright switch
- 1
- Vibrato speed
- 0
- Vibrato intensity
- 0
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.
- Engage the bright switch for added clarity and sparkle in your clean tone.
- Consider using a compressor pedal to smooth out dynamics and add sustain to your clean riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Twin Reverb Silverface 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 Twin Reverb Silverface settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Reverb 1.5, Bright switch 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?
These settings were adapted for a Squier 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 Twin Reverb Silverface
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Semi-Charmed Life · Third Eye Blind
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Lithium · Nirvana
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- moron · redize
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.