Line 6 Spider III settings
1979 settings for Line 6 Spider III
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Line 6 Spider III, select the Crunch preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Boost 0. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Jazzmaster · updated 2026-09-09
- Preset / mode
- Crunch
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Spider III knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Boost
- 0
- FX Knob 1
- 4
- FX Knob 2
- 2
- Noise Gate
- 1
- Tap Delay Time
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to add shimmer to the clean tone.
- Engage the reverb to create a spacious feel in the riff.
- 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 Spider III 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 Spider III for 1979?
Start from the Crunch preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Boost 0.
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 Squier Jazzmaster. 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 Spider III
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.