Riff Tone

Muzzle (Remastered 2012)

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, used by Billy Corgan on Mellon Collie sessions)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, used in studio for Mellon Collie era, likely through Marshall 4x12 cab)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge position, humbucker-sized for Strat)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff

Notes

Studio recording, 1995-1996 (Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness sessions). Billy Corgan is known to have used a Stratocaster with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a JCM800 for the heavy rhythm tracks. The Op-Amp Big Muff was a key part of the riff tone. Layered guitars are a hallmark of this section.

Tone Character(10)

massive, saturated fuzz walltight, compressed rhythm attacksinging sustainlayered, thick guitar soundaggressive, mid-forward crunchpercussive palm mutingarticulate note separation despite heavy gainbuzzsaw fuzz textureBritish-voiced amp characterstudio multi-tracked guitars

Difficulty

The riff is moderately challenging due to its tight, palm-muted rhythm, the need for precise timing to match layered parts, and the challenge of keeping articulation with a saturated fuzz tone.

Sources

Smashing Pumpkins Tone : r/guitarpedals Smashing Pumpkins Gish guitar tone - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar The making of Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness | Guitar World

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account