Marshall Code 50 settings
1979 settings for Marshall Code 50
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 7 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Marshall Code 50, select the JTM45 Clean preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 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 Epiphone Dot · updated 2026-09-30
- Preset / mode
- JTM45 Clean
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall Code 50 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to add subtle shimmer and width to your clean tone.
- Engage the reverb to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- 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 Marshall Code 50 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 Marshall Code 50 for 1979?
Start from the JTM45 Clean preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 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 Epiphone Dot. 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 Marshall Code 50
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · 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.