Riff Tone

Here Is No Why (Remastered 2012)

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 80s, stock or Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan in Mellon Collie era studio sessions)

AmpMarshall JMP-1 Tube MIDI Preamp → Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp (studio setup for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness)

PickupsSingle-coil (likely stock Fender or Lace Sensor Red in bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid5.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

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

Notes

Studio recording, 1995 (Remastered 2012 is a remaster of the original 1995 recording). Gear confirmed for studio use on Mellon Collie sessions, not live. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

thick and saturatedmid-scoopedaggressive and punchytight low endpronounced upper midssustained power chordscrisp pick attackclassic Pumpkins fuzz wallarticulate despite heavy gainlayered, compressed rhythm

Difficulty

The riff requires solid rhythm technique, tight palm muting, and control over high-gain fuzz, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

What pedals and settings went into the tone on “Here Is No Why?”Billy Corgan's Stratocaster Guitars, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (Deluxe Edition) - Gear ...

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