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lead guitar from “mayonaise” by the smashing pumpkins | ToneDB

mayonaise

the smashing pumpkins

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A heavily distorted, yet smooth and almost 'glassy' guitar tone with a blend of fuzz and overdrive, characterized by its sustain and harmonic richness.

Gear

Fender Stratocasterinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
ADA MP-1amp
ReverbSweetwater
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Piprocessing
ReverbSweetwater
DOD Overdrive 250processing
Reverb$91Sweetwater

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The Story

Billy Corgan achieved the 'Mayonaise' lead guitar tone using a Fender Stratocaster through an ADA MP-1 preamp, with an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and DOD Overdrive 250 in the signal chain. The Big Muff provided the fuzz foundation while the DOD 250 added sustain and midrange boost. Corgan layered multiple guitar tracks with slightly varied settings to create the dense, harmonic complexity heard on the recording.

Production Credits

Producer: Butch Vig, Billy Corgan

Engineer: Butch Vig

Recorded at: Trippin' Balls Studio, Chicago, IL

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: ADA MP-1

Processing: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, DOD Overdrive 250

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Stratocaster in the bridge pickup position for clarity.
  • Use an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for the core fuzz tone.
  • Add a DOD Overdrive 250 with the gain set relatively low to boost the signal and add sustain.
  • Experiment with different amp settings and cabinet simulations to fine-tune the sound. ADA MP-1 is key to this sound but other high gain amps can get you close.
  • Layer multiple guitar tracks, slightly varying the settings on each, to create depth and complexity.

Original Gear

  • Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi(pedal)
  • DOD Overdrive 250(pedal)
  • ADA MP-1(amp)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi$80-$100

Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

Modern reissue of the specific Big Muff circuit used during Siamese Dream era, providing the core fuzz character

ReverbSweetwater
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 (2013 reissue)$50-$70

Alternative to: DOD Overdrive 250

Current production version of the exact overdrive used to boost the Big Muff and add midrange

ReverbSweetwater
Friedman BE-OD Deluxe$200-$250

Alternative to: ADA MP-1 preamp

High-gain preamp pedal that captures the compressed, saturated character of the MP-1's tube emulation

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Soldano SLO-100 Plugin$100-$140

Alternative to: ADA MP-1 preamp

Digital recreation of high-gain tube amp characteristics similar to the MP-1's saturated preamp section

ReverbSweetwater
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster$400-$500

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Budget Stratocaster with single-coil pickups that provides the bright, clear foundation needed for this layered fuzz tone

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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