lead guitar from “today” by the smashing pumpkins | ToneDB
today
the smashing pumpkins
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A distorted and slightly compressed alternative rock lead guitar tone with a bright, cutting edge. It has a raw, aggressive character suitable for melodic lines and power chords.
Gear
- Fender Stratocasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Soldano SLO-100amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Pro Co RATprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Piprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The lead guitar tone on "Today" was built around a Fender Stratocaster running through a Soldano SLO-100 amplifier, with both a Pro Co RAT and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi contributing to the layered distortion. The track was recorded at Pumpkinland studio in Chicago with producer Butch Vig, using a close-miked cabinet approach with a Shure SM57. The combination of fuzz and distortion pedals creates the signature thick yet cutting tone that became synonymous with the Smashing Pumpkins' sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Butch Vig, Billy Corgan
Engineer: Brian Styrer
Recorded at: Pumpkinland, Chicago, IL
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster
Amp: Soldano SLO-100
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Pro Co RAT, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster-style guitar into a high-gain amp like the Soldano SLO-100.
- Use a Pro Co RAT and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for the core distortion, experimenting with the gain staging between the two.
- Adjust the amp's EQ for a bright, cutting tone that still retains body.
- Use a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone, slightly off-axis.
- Consider adding a touch of compression in the mix to even out the dynamics and enhance sustain.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- Soldano SLO-100(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Pro Co RAT(pedal)
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Soldano SLO-100
Provides high-gain tube-like saturation that can approximate the SLO-100's aggressive character when pushed hard
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Pro Co RAT
Contains multiple RAT circuit variations including the original LM308 chip circuit used on classic recordings
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
The same pedal used on the original recording, still manufactured with the classic fuzz character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Soldano SLO-100
Official digital recreation of the exact amplifier model used on the recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Budget-friendly Stratocaster with similar single-coil pickup configuration and tonal character
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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