Solo Tone

Cherub Rock

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1988 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor pickups)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (modded with KT88 power tubes)

PickupsLace Sensor Blue (neck), Silver (middle), Red (bridge)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid7.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (Op-Amp version)

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

flangerUnknown Flanger pedal (model unknown, likely tape flanger or Mutron Bi-Phase)

Notes

Studio recording, 1993. Billy Corgan used a Strat with Lace Sensors into a JCM800 (KT88s) for Siamese Dream. The solo section is heavily layered but the main solo track uses this setup. Effects are primarily pedals, not amp-based. Settings are estimated based on era, genre, and typical JCM800 use for this song.

Tone Character(10)

massive, saturated fuzzsinging sustainrich harmonic overtoneswall-of-sound layeringliquid lead tonemidrange-forwardslightly compressed attackflanged/phased modulation swirltight low endcutting, present highs

Difficulty

The solo requires fast picking, accurate phrasing, and tight synchronization with modulation effects, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Billy Corgan shares his Smashing Pumpkins pedalboard secrets [QUESTION] How to get Billy Corgan's tone on Cherub Rock/Zero ...Cherub Rock Guitar Intro : r/SmashingPumpkins

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