Riff Tone

Zero

The Smashing Pumpkins

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1994 Fender Stratocaster (modded with Lace Sensor Blue/Silver/Red pickups)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, KT88 tubes, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)

PickupsLace Sensor Red (bridge position, humbucker-like single coil)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (NYC)

Notes

Studio recording, 1995 for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Billy Corgan used his modded Strat with Lace Sensors and a Big Muff Pi for the main riff. Amp was a Marshall JCM800 with KT88 tubes. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section beyond the Big Muff. Settings are estimated based on era, genre, and typical Corgan studio approach.

Tone Character(10)

massive, saturated fuzztight, percussive attackaggressive, compressed rhythmrazor-sharp clarityfocused midrange punchsinging sustaincrunchy, articulate power chordsslight top-end sizzleminimal ambient effectsdense, wall-of-sound texture

Difficulty

The riff is built on power chords and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with the main challenge being clarity and control of heavy fuzz. No advanced techniques required, but tight rhythm and muting are essential.