Cherub rock amp settings — Marshall JCM900
The Smashing pumpkins guitar tone for “Cherub rock”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM900 with a PRS SE Custom 22. Studio version, Siamese Dream (1993)
Marshall JCM800 2203 (KT88 tubes), Fender Stratocaster with DiMarzio pickups, Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff V4
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 8 |
01Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (Op-Amp or NYC)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal IS the tone; without it you cannot replicate the sound. The Op-Amp reissue or standard NYC Big Muff will get you there.
Your JCM900 is close to the original JCM800 but has more preamp gain on tap. Corgan's technique relied on the Big Muff doing ALL the gain work while the amp stayed clean but loud—use the clean channel with gain at 2 to replicate this. Your PRS humbuckers are hotter and warmer than his Strat's DiMarzios, so treble is raised to 7 to recover the sizzle and mid stays flat rather than scooped.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall JCM900. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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