Riff Tone

Today

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1988 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (nicknamed 'Bat Strat')

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, Siamese Dream era)

PickupsDiMarzio HS-3 (bridge), DiMarzio SDS-1 (neck and middle), all single-coil-sized humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi V4

Notes

Studio recording, 1992-1993. The main riff's heavy tone was achieved with the Stratocaster into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, boosted with an Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi V4. No evidence of live rig or post-2000s gear used on the original recording.

Tone Character(10)

massive, saturated fuzz wallthick, creamy distortionmid-forward, singing sustaintight, compressed attackarticulate, yet heavyaggressive, percussive rhythmnotably compressed and layereddistinctive op-amp fuzz characterstudio double-tracked guitarssustained power chords

Difficulty

The riff is based on straightforward power chords and rhythm, but requires tight palm muting, consistent attack, and attention to double-tracking for the signature wall-of-sound effect.

Sources

The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream (Deluxe Edition) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Billy Corgan's Stratocaster Guitars, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard

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