Riff Tone

Here Is No Why (Live In Los Angeles, 2/4/96)

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarHamer Standard 'Checkerboard' (likely 1980s model, as used by Billy Corgan live in mid-90s)

AmpMesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp into Marshall JMP-1 Preamp (typical live rig for Mellon Collie era, 1996)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers (bridge and neck, stock on Hamer Standard of this era)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi

flangerElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger/Filter Matrix

Notes

Live performance, Los Angeles, 2/4/96. Billy Corgan used the Hamer Standard with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups for most heavy rhythm work in this era. The amp setup was a Marshall JMP-1 preamp into a Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amp, into Marshall 4x12 cabinets. Effects were mostly pedal-based, with the Op-Amp Big Muff for distortion and Electric Mistress for modulation. No evidence of digital processors in this era. Settings estimated based on era and typical live rig, as no direct photo or interview from this specific show is available.

Tone Character(10)

wall of fuzzed-out sustainthick, saturated rhythm toneaggressive, compressed attackmid-forward punchtight, percussive palm mutingsinging sustain on power chordsrich, harmonically complex fuzzslightly scooped but present midscrisp, articulate pick attackdense, layered distortion

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive rhythm playing with fast power chord changes and palm muting, all while maintaining clarity under a thick fuzz tone. Intermediate players may struggle with the articulation and dynamic control needed for this sound.