Positive Grid Spark settings
1979 settings for Positive Grid Spark
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 13 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark, set Gain 4, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson SG Special P90 · updated 2026-11-02
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Mod
- 3
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 1.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level for added depth.
- Engage the modulation effect for subtle chorus to recreate the shimmering quality of the original tone.
- Keep your picking light and articulate to maintain clarity in the riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 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 Positive Grid Spark settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5.
Which pickup should I use for 1979?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7 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 Special P90. 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 Positive Grid Spark
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · 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.