Line 6 Catalyst settings
1979 settings for Line 6 Catalyst
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Line 6 Catalyst, select the Archetype Clean mod preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3.5, 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 Ibanez Gio · updated 2026-08-21
- Preset / mode
- Archetype Clean mod
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Catalyst knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 3.5
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Boost
- 0
- Noise gate
- 1
- Power attenuation
- 3
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level for added shimmer.
- Keep your playing light and articulate to capture the elegant tone of '1979'.
- 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 Line 6 Catalyst 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 Line 6 Catalyst for 1979?
Start from the Archetype Clean mod preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3.5, 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 Ibanez Gio. 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 Line 6 Catalyst
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Sweet Child O' Mine · 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.