lead guitar from “cherub rock” by smashing pumpkins | ToneDB
cherub rock
smashing pumpkins
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A searing, yet smooth and refined distortion tone, with a hint of chorus and flanger. This tone is characterized by its sustain, clarity, and slight psychedelic swirl.
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The Story
Billy Corgan's "Cherub Rock" guitar tone was recorded using a Fender Stratocaster through a Soldano SLO-100 amplifier, with an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi providing the core distortion and an ADA Flanger adding the subtle psychedelic swirl. The track was recorded at Triclops Sound Studios in Atlanta with producer Butch Vig, utilizing multiple layered guitar tracks to create the signature thick, textured sound that became a defining characteristic of the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream album.
Production Credits
Producer: Butch Vig, Billy Corgan
Engineer: unknown
Recorded at: Triclops Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Soldano SLO-100Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PiShop on Reverb, ADA FlangerShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar and a high-gain amp like the Soldano SLO-100.
- Use a Big Muff Pi for the core distortion tone. Adjust the sustain and tone controls to find the sweet spot.
- Add a touch of ADA Flanger for a subtle swirling effect. Experiment with the rate and depth settings.
- Layer multiple guitar tracks to create a thicker, more complex sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Soldano SLO-100 amplifier
Provides authentic tube saturation and high-gain characteristics similar to the SLO-100's lead channel, with built-in power scaling for home recording
Alternative to: Soldano SLO-100 amplifier
Official digital recreation of the exact amplifier used on the recording, capturing the SLO-100's signature high-gain tone and response
Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Modern reissue of the specific Big Muff variant that provides the smooth, sustaining distortion heard on Siamese Dream
Alternative to: ADA Flanger
Offers the precise modulation control needed to recreate the subtle psychedelic swirl without overwhelming the core distortion tone
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides authentic Stratocaster single-coil pickup character at a budget-friendly price point, essential for the clarity in Corgan's layered approach
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