Vox AC15C1 settings
1979 settings for Vox AC15C1
The Smashing Pumpkins · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Smashing Pumpkins "1979" riff tone on a Vox AC15C1, set Gain 4, Bass 3, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Tone cut 0, Reverb tone 5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-09-16
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7 · Volume 8-9
Vox AC15C1 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 3
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tone cut
- 0
- Reverb tone
- 5
- Reverb level
- 3
- Master volume
- 6
- Normal volume
- 6
- Tremolo depth
- 0
- Tremolo speed
- 0
- Top boost bass
- 0
- Top boost treble
- 0
- Top boost volume
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Consider using a compressor pedal to smooth out dynamics and add sustain to the clean riff.
- Play with a light touch to maintain clarity and brightness in the clean tone.
The original rig
What The Smashing Pumpkins used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox AC15C1 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 Vox AC15C1 settings for 1979?
Set Gain 4, Bass 3, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Tone cut 0, Reverb tone 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 Fender Telecaster. 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 Vox AC15C1
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
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.