Marshall MG30FX settings
1979 settings for Marshall MG30FX
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 7 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Marshall MG30FX, set Gain 4, Volume 5, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson SG Standard · updated 2026-10-06
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG30FX knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Volume
- 5
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 7
- 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 shimmer to the clean tone.
- Engage reverb for added depth and space in the riff.
- Dial in the volume on your guitar to around 8-9 for optimal clarity without losing dynamics.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG30FX 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 MG30FX settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Volume 5, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7.
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 Gibson SG Standard. 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 MG30FX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.