Riff Tone

Ava Adore

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (exact model unknown, but Corgan bought new guitars for Adore sessions)

AmpFender Blackface combo (exact model unknown, likely Twin Reverb or Deluxe Reverb, used in Adore sessions per Corgan interview)

PickupsSingle-coil (stock Fender Stratocaster pickups, likely 1990s production)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass5.5

mid6

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1997-1998. Corgan stated he did not use his usual gear for Adore, opting for new guitars and a Fender Blackface combo amp. No evidence of live rig or Marshall/Laney for this song section.

Tone Character(10)

smooth and slightly grittyclear note definitionwarm with subtle breakupmidrange presencenot heavily saturatedarticulate attackrounded highstight low enddynamic responsenot compressed or squashed

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy and dynamic control to maintain clarity with the edge-of-breakup tone, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo.

Sources

adore guitar sound : r/SmashingPumpkins - Reddit "As good as D’arcy and James are, it was just going to sound better if Billy played it" – Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Butch Vig, Flood and more on the Smashing Pumpkins' recording history | MusicRadar The Smashing Pumpkins – Adore - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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