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The recording
The song was recorded with Billy Corgan playing a half‑step down Stratocaster equipped with Lace Sensor pickups, the bridge pickup selected for its bright, biting tone. The signal ran through an Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi for thick, compressed fuzz, then into a vintage 1984 Marshall JCM800 head powering a 4×12 cabinet. Multiple guitar tracks were layered and panned wide, with the verse volume pulled back and the chorus driven full‑tilt for the soaring wall of sound.
Tuning E♭ standard (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
Signal chain
Original gear
1994 Fender Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups
Guitar
Corgan recorded the main riff on a Fender Stratocaster fitted with Lace Sensor pickups, using the bridge pickup for its aggressive edge, tuned a half‑step down.
1973 Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Pedal
The track’s searing sustain comes from an Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi placed before the amp, providing the thick, compressed fuzz that defines the chorus.
1984 Marshall JCM800 head
Amp
Corgan used his 1984 Marshall JCM800 head to drive a 4×12 cabinet, delivering the raw, high‑gain tone that cuts through the mix.
Alternatives
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Set the guitar to bridge pickup for maximum bite
- 2.Engage the Big Muff’s sustain knob fully to get the song’s signature fuzz
- 3.Roll back the guitar volume for the verses and crank it up for the choruses
- 4.Tune the guitar a half‑step down to match the recording’s E♭ tuning
- 5.Use aggressive down‑strokes to accentuate the track’s relentless rhythm
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Bullet with Butterfly Wings guitar tone?
The available research points to 1994 Fender Stratocaster with Lace Sensor pickups into 1984 Marshall JCM800 head. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Bullet with Butterfly Wings amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Bullet with Butterfly Wings in?
The current research record lists E♭ standard (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Bullet with Butterfly Wings tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
