Marshall MG15DFX settings
1979 settings for Marshall MG15DFX
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Marshall MG15DFX, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Contour 6, Fdd 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 Sonic Stratocaster · updated 2026-09-25
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG15DFX knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Contour
- 6
- Fdd switch
- 1
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 your clean tone.
- Engage the reverb to create a more spacious sound, set around 3 for subtlety.
- Consider using a compression pedal to smooth out dynamics and enhance sustain for the riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG15DFX 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 Marshall MG15DFX settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Contour 6, Fdd 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 Sonic 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 Marshall MG15DFX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Alive · Pearl Jam
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.