Tone Profile

A searing, thick wall of op-amp fuzz with a slightly scooped midrange, creating an aggressive yet articulate sound that defined early '90s alternative rock. The tone is heavily saturated and layered, resulting in a massive sonic footprint.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The album 'Siamese Dream' was famously recorded with producer Butch Vig, who encouraged extensive layering and overdubbing.
• Billy Corgan recorded dozens of guitar tracks for many songs, including this one, to achieve the desired thickness and texture.
• The Marshall JCM800 was a key component, but its stock EL34 tubes were swapped for KT88s, which provided more clean headroom and a different breakup character when pushed.
• The specific version of the Big Muff used, the V4 or 'op-amp' version, is crucial to this sound and has a crunchier, less scooped character than other versions.

Recreation Tips

• Use a Strat-style guitar on the bridge pickup. A hot single-coil or a humbucker will work best.
• The core of the sound is an op-amp style Big Muff pedal. Set the sustain high (around 3 o'clock) and adjust the tone knob to taste to keep it from getting too dark.
• Run the fuzz pedal into a British-style tube amp (like a Marshall) that is set to be on the edge of breaking up or already slightly crunchy. This gain-stacking is essential.
• To simulate the studio production, record the same guitar part at least twice on separate tracks and pan them hard left and hard right. This will create a much wider and fuller sound.
• Don't be afraid of noise. The combination of a cranked amp and a high-gain fuzz pedal will naturally be noisy, which is part of the sound's character.

Original Gear

• Fender Stratocaster with high-output pickups(guitar)
• Marshall JCM800 2203(amp)
• Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Reissue(pedal)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• Lace Sensor Red Pickup(guitar)