Riff Tone
The Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right)
The Smashing Pumpkins
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan during Mellon Collie era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (modded, as used on Mellon Collie studio sessions)
PickupsFender Lace Sensor Red (bridge), Silver (middle), Blue (neck)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (vintage, likely op-amp or Triangle variant)
eqBoss Boss GE-7 Equalizer
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996. Gear based on Mellon Collie era interviews and rig rundowns. No direct evidence for alternate guitars or amps on this track's riff section. Effects inferred from era and Corgan's known setup.
Tone Character(10)
huge, saturated distortiontight, compressed attackthick, layered rhythm soundaggressive, biting edgesustained power chordsmodern alternative rock crunchpercussive, driving riffslightly scooped mids but not hollowrich harmonic overtoneswall-of-sound guitar layering
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, fast power chord changes with aggressive picking and palm muting, plus the ability to control dynamics and clarity under heavy fuzz/distortion. Layered tracking adds to the challenge.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, Lace Sensor pickups, as used by Billy Corgan during Mellon Collie era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (modded, as used on Mellon Collie studio sessions)
PickupsFender Lace Sensor Red (bridge), Silver (middle), Blue (neck)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (vintage, likely op-amp or Triangle variant)
eqBoss Boss GE-7 Equalizer
Notes
Studio recording, 1995-1996. Gear based on Mellon Collie era interviews and rig rundowns. No direct evidence for alternate guitars or amps on this track's riff section. Effects inferred from era and Corgan's known setup.
Tone Character(10)
huge, saturated distortiontight, compressed attackthick, layered rhythm soundaggressive, biting edgesustained power chordsmodern alternative rock crunchpercussive, driving riffslightly scooped mids but not hollowrich harmonic overtoneswall-of-sound guitar layering
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, fast power chord changes with aggressive picking and palm muting, plus the ability to control dynamics and clarity under heavy fuzz/distortion. Layered tracking adds to the challenge.
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