Artist
5 songs, each with a starting point and the rig from its sources
Tonelify's library has 5 The Smashing Pumpkins songs, each with the rig reported in interviews and articles and a reference starting point on a generic five-knob amp. There is no single The Smashing Pumpkins setting. Today starts at Gain 2 and Bullet with Butterfly Wings at Gain 6, so set the amp for the song, not for the artist.
The numbers below are the same ones each song page gives. The rig for each song is on its own page with the sources it comes from.
Every song on this page, grouped by the starting point it shares, with the same numbers as the song pages. Open it full size to print, or save it for later.
A wall of layered Big Muff fuzz over a Marshall, with a tape-doubled solo.
Start at Gain 3, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the bridge pickup.
A slow, fuzz-soaked ballad with a squealing feedback note left in.
Start at Gain 3, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the bridge pickup.
A clean, chiming E-flat riff that gives way to loud, layered distorted choruses.
Start at Gain 2, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the neck or middle position.
A crushing half-step-down riff with a fuzz that blows up at the key change.
Start at Gain 6, Bass 6, Middle 4, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 2, with the bridge pickup.
A strummed two-guitar part that carries the melody over drum loops and samples.
Start at Gain 2, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the neck or middle position.
These are positions on a generic five-knob amp with gain, bass, middle, treble and presence, each running 0 to 10. They are a starting point, not the settings used on the record, and they will not transfer unchanged to an amp with a different gain structure or EQ voicing.
| Song | Guitar and amp |
|---|---|
| Cherub Rock | Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster, Corgan's main guitar on the album1984 Marshall JCM800 head, Corgan's 'soul head' |
| Mayonaise | Kimberly with microphone pickups, a $65 pawnshop buy (the 'Mayonaise guitar')Not placed on the song (the album's main amp: Corgan's 1984 Marshall JCM800) |
| Today | Not placed on the song (Corgan's main guitar on the album: a Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster)Not placed on the song (the album's main amp: Corgan's 1984 Marshall JCM800) |
| Bullet with Butterfly Wings | Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster, among about 20 electrics on the albumAlbum rig: a Marshall rack preamp and Alesis compressor into a Mesa/Boogie head |
| 1979 | Album rig: Corgan's '57 reissue Stratocaster, among about 20 electricsAlbum rig: a Marshall rack preamp and Alesis compressor into a Mesa/Boogie head |
Tonelify reads each of these chains and translates it to the amp and guitar you already own. Adapt one in the tone matcher →
It depends on the song. On a generic five-knob amp, Cherub Rock starts at Gain 3, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3; Mayonaise starts at Gain 3, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3; Today starts at Gain 2, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3; Bullet with Butterfly Wings starts at Gain 6, Bass 6, Middle 4, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 2; 1979 starts at Gain 2, Bass 5, Middle 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 3. These are starting points, not the settings used on the records.
Cherub Rock: Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster, Corgan's main guitar on the album; 1984 Marshall JCM800 head, Corgan's 'soul head'. Mayonaise: Kimberly with microphone pickups, a $65 pawnshop buy (the 'Mayonaise guitar'); Not placed on the song (the album's main amp: Corgan's 1984 Marshall JCM800). Today: Not placed on the song (Corgan's main guitar on the album: a Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster); Not placed on the song (the album's main amp: Corgan's 1984 Marshall JCM800). Bullet with Butterfly Wings: Fender '57 reissue Stratocaster, among about 20 electrics on the album; Album rig: a Marshall rack preamp and Alesis compressor into a Mesa/Boogie head. 1979: Album rig: Corgan's '57 reissue Stratocaster, among about 20 electrics; Album rig: a Marshall rack preamp and Alesis compressor into a Mesa/Boogie head. Each song page lists the sources behind its rig.
Yes. What carries these sounds is the gain structure, the EQ curve, the pickup position and the order of the effects, and all four can be rebuilt on other equipment. Tonelify rewrites each starting point for the amp and guitar you own.
