lead guitar from “cherub rock” by the smashing pumpkins | ToneDB
cherub rock
the smashing pumpkins
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A searing, overdriven tone with a distinct fuzz character, bright and cutting through the mix. It's aggressive yet melodic, with a noticeable mid-range presence and sustain.
Gear
- Fender Stratocasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- JCM 800amp
- Reverb$1199Sweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Piprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Billy Corgan achieved this searing lead tone on "Cherub Rock" using a Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM 800 amplifier, with an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi providing the signature fuzz character. The track was recorded at Smart Studios in Madison, WI with producer Butch Vig, utilizing multiple layered guitar tracks and a Shure SM57 microphone to capture the amp. The combination of the cranked Marshall and Big Muff created the aggressive yet melodic wall-of-sound that became a defining characteristic of the Smashing Pumpkins' sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Butch Vig
Engineer: Butch Vig
Recorded at: Smart Studios, Madison, WI
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster
Amp: JCM 800
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster-style guitar for its bright and articulate tone.
- Use a Marshall JCM 800 amplifier, or a similar high-gain amp, as a base for the sound.
- Dial in a moderate amount of gain on the amp and then add an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for the signature fuzz character.
- Experiment with the tone controls on both the amp and the Big Muff to find the right balance of brightness and low-end.
- Use a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic microphone to capture the amp sound.
- Layer multiple guitar tracks, each with slight variations in tone and performance, to create a fuller and more dimensional sound.
- Consider using a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
- EQ the guitar tracks to remove any unwanted frequencies and to ensure that they sit well in the mix.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- JCM 800(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Marshall JCM 800
20-watt version of the JCM 800 circuit with power scaling, delivering the same saturated Marshall tone at manageable volumes for recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JCM 800
Combines Blues Breaker and Angry Charlie circuits to emulate cranked Marshall tones, perfect for achieving JCM 800 saturation through any clean amp
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Modern reissue of the specific Big Muff variant that provides the focused, cutting fuzz tone characteristic of early 90s alternative rock
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Budget-friendly Strat that delivers the bright, articulate single-coil pickup sound essential for cutting through the fuzz and Marshall overdrive
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JCM 800 + Big Muff combination
Includes accurate Marshall-style amp models and Big Muff-inspired fuzz pedals, with built-in layering capabilities for recreating the wall-of-sound effect
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Shure SM57
The exact same microphone model used on the original recording, still manufactured and industry standard for capturing overdriven guitar amps
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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