Guitar tone · rock, metal

The Smashing Pumpkins guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 37 The Smashing Pumpkins songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock single coils) into Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era).

Guitars The Smashing Pumpkins used

Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock single coils)2 songs
1974 Fender Stratocaster2 songs
1988 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups)2 songs
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio)2 songs
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used by Billy Corgan on Siamese Dream)1 song
Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (Lace Sensor pickups, likely Red in bridge)1 song
Fender Stratocaster 'Bat Strat' (mid-70s, DiMarzio pickups, modded, used by Billy Corgan)1 song
Fender Stratocaster Deluxe Plus1 song

Amps The Smashing Pumpkins used

Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era)2 songs
Marshall JCM800 22032 songs
Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cab1 song
Marshall JMP-1 Rack Preamp into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp (studio recording, 1994)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cab (Soul/Mars combo, studio recording)1 song
Marshall JCM800 (studio, Siamese Dream era)1 song
Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp (studio recording)1 song
Orange OR-120 head into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp1 song

59 The Smashing Pumpkins tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Mayonaise · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, as used by James Iha on Siamese Dream)	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era)	7.5
Cherub Rock · riff	Riff · distorted	1991 Fender Stratocaster (Billy Corgan's main guitar for Siamese Dream sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1993)	8
1979 (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Yamaha SA-2000	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 Marshall cabinet	4.5
Bullet With Butterfly Wings (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	1994 Fender Stratocaster (Billy Corgan's main studio guitar for Mellon Collie sessions)	Marshall JMP-1 Preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp	8
1979 (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, with Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan in the studio for '1979')	Marshall JCM800 (2203 preamp circuit, as cloned in Corgan's Salvation Mods rack for studio use on Mellon Collie era, with Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp and Marshall 1960 4x12 cab)	0
Today · riff	Riff · distorted	1988 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (nicknamed 'Bat Strat')	Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, Siamese Dream era)	8
Geek U.S.A. · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster Deluxe Plus	Marshall JCM800 (studio, Siamese Dream era)	8.5
Mayonaise · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1990s, used by James Iha on Siamese Dream)	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era, clean channel)	0
Drown (Edit) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (Billy Corgan's 'Bat Strat')	Marshall JCM800 100-watt head (1984, 'Soul' head, with KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 slant cab ('Mars' cab)	7
Quiet · riff	Riff · distorted	1988 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups)	Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi into 1970s Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded with KT88 power tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Here Is No Why (Live In Los Angeles, 2/4/96) · riff	Riff · distorted	Hamer Standard 'Checkerboard' (likely 1980s model, as used by Billy Corgan live in mid-90s)	Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp into Marshall JMP-1 Preamp (typical live rig for Mellon Collie era, 1996)	8
Mayonaise · solo	Solo · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used by James Iha on Siamese Dream sessions)	Marshall JCM 800 (KT88 power tubes, studio recording, 1993)	0
Mayonaise · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely, but possibly Teisco Kimberly Greenburst for some overdubs)	Orange OR-120 (studio recording, 1993, Siamese Dream sessions)	7
The Boy · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s reissue, as used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie era recordings)	Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 power amp (studio recording chain for Mellon Collie era)	7.5
Zero · riff	Riff · distorted	1994 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor Blue/Silver/Red pickups)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, KT88 tubes, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)	8.5
1979 · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass	Marshall JMP-1 MIDI Tube Preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp (studio chain, likely with DI blend)	0
1979 · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio)	Marshall JCM800 (modded with KT88 tubes, as used on Mellon Collie sessions)	4
1979 (Acoustic Version) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or 1980s, used by Billy Corgan in studio for clean tones)	Marshall JCM800	3.5
1979 (Remastered 2012) · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Player Jazz Bass	Unknown (Trace Elliot AH300 possibly in rig, but not confirmed for this session)	4.5
Ava Adore · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (exact model unknown, but Corgan bought new guitars for Adore sessions)	Fender Blackface combo (exact model unknown, likely Twin Reverb or Deluxe Reverb, used in Adore sessions per Corgan interview)	6
Bullet with Butterfly Wings · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, modded with Lace Sensor pickups)	Marshall JCM800 head with KT88 tubes, Marshall 1960 4x12 cab	8
Bullet with Butterfly Wings · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio)	Marshall JCM800 head with KT88 tubes into Marshall 1960 4x12 slant cab	5.5
Bullet With Butterfly Wings (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · clean	1975 Fender Stratocaster	Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp (with likely Marshall preamp or rack preamp, see warnings)	0
Cherub Rock · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups (likely 1988-1992 American Standard, modded with Lace Sensors)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (KT88 tubes, studio recording)	0
Cherub Rock · solo	Solo · distorted	1988 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded with KT88 power tubes)	8
Cupid De Locke (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · clean	Suzuki Omnichord (primary instrument for main riff, not a guitar); no evidence of electric guitar on riff section	N/A (Omnichord direct-in or processed, not a guitar amp)	0
Disarm · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (Lace Sensor pickups, likely Red in bridge)	Marshall JMP-1 Rack Preamp into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp (studio recording, 1994)	5.5
Drown (Edit) · riff	Riff · clean	1991 Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, Billy Corgan's main clean guitar at the time)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head (studio recording, 1992, Siamese Dream era sessions, typical for clean tones with Pumpkins in this era)	4.5
Drown (Edit) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely early 70s, as used by Billy Corgan in Gish/Siamese Dream era)	Marshall JCM 800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cab (studio recording, early 1990s)	7.5
Galapogos (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock or DiMarzio pickups)	Marshall JCM800 (with A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp in front, KT-88 power tubes)	7
Geek U.S.A. · solo	Solo · distorted	1971 Fender Stratocaster (likely, but some sources mention Jaguar for Siamese Dream sessions)	Marshall JCM800 head (modified with KT88 tubes), into Marshall 1960 4x12 slant cab	8
Geek U.S.A. · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock single coils)	Marshall JCM800 head with KT88 tubes, Marshall 1960 4x12 slant cab	0
Heavy Metal Machine · riff	Riff · distorted	Reverend Billy Corgan Signature (likely prototype or early production, as used on Machina sessions)	Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204, as used in studio for Machina era)	8.5
Here Is No Why (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, stock or Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan in Mellon Collie era studio sessions)	Marshall JMP-1 Tube MIDI Preamp → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp (studio setup for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness)	7
Hummer · riff	Riff · distorted	1991 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups, likely Silver in neck/middle, Red in bridge)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1992-1993)	8
I Am One (Remastered 2011) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used on Gish sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with KT88 power tubes, run via ADA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp	7.5
Jellybelly (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender American Vintage '57 Reissue Stratocaster	Marshall JCM 800 (1984 head, 'Soul Head') into Marshall 4x12 cabinet	8.5
Luna · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1990s reissue, as used by Billy Corgan on Siamese Dream sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head (as used on Siamese Dream sessions)	6
Luna · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1980s American Standard, Lace Sensor pickups, as used on Siamese Dream sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cab (Celestion speakers), studio recording	2.5
Luna · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan on Siamese Dream)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, as used on Siamese Dream studio recordings)	4
Muzzle (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, used in studio for Mellon Collie era, likely through Marshall 4x12 cab)	8
Pennies · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1990s reissue, as used by Billy Corgan in Mellon Collie era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with KT88 power tubes (studio recording, Mellon Collie era)	7
Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans (Remastered 2012) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster 'Bat Strat' (mid-70s, DiMarzio pickups, modded, used by Billy Corgan)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cab (Soul/Mars combo, studio recording)	7
Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1988 American Standard, Lace Sensor Red in bridge, Silver in middle, Blue in neck)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100-watt head, KT88 tubes, Marshall 1960A 4x12 cab)	0
Rhinoceros · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1988-1989 American Standard, as used by Billy Corgan on Gish)	Marshall JCM800 (modded with KT88 tubes, as per studio use on Gish)	7
Rocket · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used by Billy Corgan on Siamese Dream)	Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cab	8
Soma · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock single coils)	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era)	4.5
Soma · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (mid-'70s) with DiMarzio pickups	Marshall JCM800 2203	8
Stand Inside Your Love · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson ES-335 TD	Mesa Boogie TriAxis preamp into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cab	7
The Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan during Mellon Collie era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (modded, as used on Mellon Collie studio sessions)	8.5
Thru The Eyes Of Ruby (Remastered 2012) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard or 'Gish Strat')	Marshall JCM800 2203	8.5
Thru The Eyes Of Ruby (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, 1990s, with Lace Sensor pickups)	1984 Marshall JCM800 100-watt head with KT88 tubes	8
Today · riff	Riff · clean	1974 Fender Stratocaster	Marshall JCM800 2203 (with KT88 power tubes, studio recording)	0
Tonight, Tonight (Band Version Only / No Strings) · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson ES-335 (likely 1970s-80s, as used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie sessions)	Marshall JCM 800 100-watt head (1984, with 4x12 cabinet, KT88 tubes for extra headroom)	0
Tonight, Tonight (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, 'Bat Strat')	Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp (studio recording)	0
Tonight, Tonight (Remastered 2012) · riff	Riff · distorted	1974 Fender Stratocaster	Orange OR-120 head into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp	7
Tonight, Tonight (Remastered 2012) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 with KT88 power tubes (studio recording, 1995 era)	6
Zero (8-Track Demo) · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s Fender Stratocaster (likely modded, possibly Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie era demos and live)	Marshall JCM800 (likely, as per Corgan's studio rig for Mellon Collie era and demo sessions)	8
Zero (Synth Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups	Mesa/Boogie Mark IV	7

The Smashing Pumpkins songs on popular amps

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did The Smashing Pumpkins use?

Across 37 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Siamese Dream era) (2 songs), Marshall JCM800 2203 (2 songs), Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cab (1 song), Marshall JMP-1 Rack Preamp into Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp (studio recording, 1994) (1 song).

What guitar did The Smashing Pumpkins use?

Most often: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, stock single coils) (2 songs), 1974 Fender Stratocaster (2 songs), 1988 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups) (2 songs), Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, as used by Billy Corgan in studio) (2 songs).

How do I get The Smashing Pumpkins's tone on my amp?

Open any The Smashing Pumpkins song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.