Valeton GP-200 settings
1979 settings for Valeton GP-200
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Valeton GP-200, use the UK 800 (Marshall JCM800) amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24 · updated 2026-10-05
- Amp model
- UK 800 (Marshall JCM800)
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 4x12 Closed Back
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 4
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5.5
Effects chain
- 1compressionCOMP Compressor (Ross Compressor)Level 7 · Sustain 6
- 2modulationChorus (Boss CE-2 Chorus)Mix 5 · Rate 3 · Depth 5
- 3reverbSpring Reverb (Fender Spring Reverb)Mix 4 · Decay 3
- 4noise gateNR Gate (Decimator Noise Reduction)Release 5 · Threshold 4
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a light touch to maintain the clean edge without overdriving the tone.
- Consider using fingerstyle for a more nuanced attack.
- Experiment with subtle palm muting to add texture to the riff.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Valeton GP-200 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 amp model should I use on the Valeton GP-200 for 1979?
Use the UK 800 (Marshall JCM800) (clean channel) with Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, followed by COMP Compressor (Ross Compressor), Chorus (Boss CE-2 Chorus), Spring Reverb (Fender Spring Reverb), NR Gate (Decimator Noise Reduction).
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 PRS SE Custom 24. 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 Valeton GP-200
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- 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.