Solo Tone

Drown (Edit)

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely early 70s, as used by Billy Corgan in Gish/Siamese Dream era)

AmpMarshall JCM 800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cab (studio recording, early 1990s)

PickupsSingle-coil (stock Fender Stratocaster pickups, possibly Lace Sensors as used by Corgan in this era)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1992/1993, for the 'Singles' soundtrack. Gear based on era-accurate interviews and forum consensus for 'Drown' solo. Not live/tour setup.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainfuzzy wall of soundliquid lead tonelush phaser swirlmassive sustainrich harmonic overtonesambient solo texturesthick fuzz saturationlong feedback tailsslightly scooped mids

Difficulty

The solo is not technically fast but demands control of sustain, feedback, and expressive phrasing with heavy effects, making it challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Anyone know how to best imitate the effects of Drown on a ...Cooked up this tone and tested it out on the “Drown” solo!Getting the MBV / Smashing Pumpkins sound - How to?What's going on the Drown guitar solo (the 8 minute ...

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