Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Billy Corgan recorded his rhythm parts on a bright bridge‑pickup Strat, tuned a half‑step down to Eb Standard. A subtle Boss CE‑2 chorus adds a shimmering wash to the clean verses, while a Big Muff Pi drives the thick, sustain‑rich distortion on the choruses. Multiple guitar tracks were layered and slightly detuned, then run through a Marshall JCM800 2203 head to create the wide, aggressive wall of sound that defines the track.
Tuning Eb Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)
Signal chain
Reported gear
Fender Stratocaster (1988 #2 Strat, black over candy apple red)
Guitar
Corgan recorded his rhythm parts with a 1988 Fender Stratocaster (black over candy apple red), tuned down a half‑step to Eb Standard and using the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone.
Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus
Chorus Pedal
A Boss CE‑2 chorus pedal (the modern Waza Craft version replicates the classic analog shimmer) adds the gentle, modulated wash heard in the verses.
Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi (NYC)
Fuzz Pedal
The distorted choruses were driven through an Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi (NYC version), producing a thick, sustain‑rich fuzz that defines the song’s soaring sections.
Marshall JCM800 2203
Amp
All guitar tracks were sent through a Marshall JCM800 2203 head, set with high gain and balanced EQ to provide the tight, aggressive foundation for the fuzz.
Alternatives
Fender Player Stratocaster
Modern equivalent · for the Fender Stratocaster (1988 #2 Strat, black over candy apple red)
Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Still made · for the Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi (NYC)
Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus
Modern equivalent · for the Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus
Marshall JCM800 Reissue
Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Use a light touch and let the bridge pickup sing on clean verses
- 2.Engage the chorus and keep the volume low to preserve clarity
- 3.Switch to the Big Muff and dig in with the bridge pickup for thick, sustained chords
- 4.Layer multiple takes with slight detuning for a massive wall‑of‑sound effect
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Today guitar tone?
The available research points to Fender Stratocaster (1988 #2 Strat, black over candy apple red) into Marshall JCM800 2203. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Today 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 Today in?
The current research record lists Eb Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Today 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.
