The Sound of The Smashing Pumpkins - Billy Corgan | Amps & Effects

We spent some time with The Smashing Pumpkins during rehearsals for their 'Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour' to chat about gear before they hit the road. Here, lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan talks about how the Line 6 HX Effects Processor helps him get his lead tones on tour, and how he had eight of his classic studio amps modeled by Salvation Audio to bring them along.
For more info on upcoming shows, go to www.smashingpumpkins.com.
Watch our video with Billy Corgan showcasing the guitars that shape his sound: • The Sound of The Smash...
Watch our video with Jeff Schroeder, guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins: • The Sound of The Smash...
Watch our video with Jimmy Chamberlin, drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins: • The Sound of The Smash...
Check out the gear Billy mentioned in this video:
Line 6 HX Effects Guitar Effects Processor:
www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6/H...

[@anon17472]

"I didn't realize Billy Corgan was such a good guitarist" - people who missed the 90s

[@77iam97]

Me too

[@mohdherfiz4503]

Hahahaha

[@juvedoo99]

It pretty obvious from his compositions alone that he’s a good guitarist.

[@anon17472]

@@alexcaminiti ok - well now you do. You're welcome

[@razmatazz9310]

I knew his songs were shitty, but indeed did not know that he could shred like this. Learn something new every day!

[@kimthompson5871]

He's a lot better guitarist than people realize .

[@TJmusic24]

Kim Thompson he’s a pretty good piano player too

[@kimthompson5871]

Mick Scott yes true . I assure you at 55 I’m far from new generation . But having been aware of his talents for at least 20 years he’s been relatively quiet and it would be nice if the younger generation was aware of him . Besides , anyone that likes EHX pedals is a friend of mine brother !

[@BigBoss1292]

I’d say THE most underrated of his era

[@ronkhoo]

He was one of the more virtuoso guitarists to come out of the 90s, soloing actually fell out of favour for a while and bands like Mogwai would mock his long solos. Compared to other flamboyant guitarists he didn't need to rely on technicality alone, half of his best songs are pop.

[@kimthompson5871]

Mick Scott that’s ok brother this type of music isn’t what the kids listen to anyway .

[@ericlitts9917]

That lead in "cherub rock" was a knife to my soul as a 13 year old. It sounds like literal lightning with that flanger and just crazy harmonic saturation. It reminds me kind of like a Brian may influence.

[@marcscott6142]

About how long would you say it takes to become proficient at guitar/bass?

[@LiamNashMiller]

@@marcscott6142 5-10 years for most people.

[@thefelrider]

Yeah mate Siamese Dream was the soundtrack for when I was 13/14 :)

[@giddyrightonup]

100% that album was so emotive, I hope my kids find music that moves them like this when they are a little older

[@jg1772]

@@marcscott6142 depends on how much you practice and how clear of a goal you have in what style you want to play.

[@Thebiggdill]

Siamese Dreams was one of the greatest albums ever!

[@drduanemiller]

Yep.

[@eLiFILMSinc]

Always

[@KnightOnBaldMountain]

Agreed, but I wish his playing on my favorite song Cherub Rock was a little cleaner. The high gain distorts the sound to such extent that it diminishes the power and excitement from the track.

[@mavisevelyn618]

Mellon Collie is my personal fav but Siamese Dream is amazing

[@Joker-ig8im]

Best album from the 90's.

[@stevegoodwin803]

BC is a prodigy. People don't really realize that about him. Dude is a virtuoso-type perfectionist too. Very "Mustaine" like. Difficult to deal with, but an incredible artist.

[@notto86]

MCATIS is an unbelievable musical accomplishment with the range of styles and how epic and developed each one is. And not in a "it's very impressive but a little too BC-chic, nerding out, idiosyncratic" way. Cuz sometimes good musicians make big albums but it sounds a little too geeky, like the musician was trying in vain to cover genres in order to appear like a genius. MCATIS on the other hand is honest to goodness powerful music. Doesn't seem contrived, or like it's trying too hard. It's a huge musical accomplishment.

[@s.w.126strawberry6]

Right

[@ComradSputnik]

One of the crazy things about him is, he's actually left handed. But plays right handed guitars, because that's how he was taught...

[@somedaysometime]

@@ComradSputnik opposite with Kurt, he was right handed and learned left

[@OMGYasuke]

When Billy was a kid, one of his teachers pointed out how gifted Billy was with music.

[@werideatdusk]

His insight at 4:44 about how guitarists lean on tone and put less energy into the physical playing is pretty incredible. Gonna let that sink in...

[@XChristianNoirX]

The gain on 6 on Iommi's signature amp... IS A LOT OF GAIN

[@erictoniaschwab1009]

So true. I remember cranking the gain as a youngster and wondering why the amp sounded thin and weak. I’ve learned over the years that turning it down yields better results.

[@MasterOfNeutral]

Actually holds some weight. When I started I got too focused on effects and what I could add instead of focusing on my own ability. I run a three pedal setup now.

[@maurosampietro9900]

My theory is that gain and volume levels are appropriate when you need to hit the strings like a blacksmith to get the distorted sound you have in mind. And immediately your performance is pure energy and amazing

[@Syclone0044]

mauro sampietro 😂😂 hit the strings like a blacksmith 🔨🔨

[@Dan__W]

4:50 - one of the most important quotes for a player to take to heart. "The more that you put to artificially create the sound of excitement will take away from your ability learn how to generate excitement from your own playing."

[@joesmith6972]

Was Billy quoting Lars Ulrich there?

[@lulcatz4668]

corgan: “it’s impossible to have 15 pedals in a live set up..” Kevin Sheilds: hold my jazzmaster

[@bencummings5304]

Inaccurate: Shields wouldn't let anyone hold his jazzmaster.

[@fuzzshifter]

I have 14 pedals on my main board. Pedaltrain pro, FTW.

[@jackthomson5047]

Scott holliday of the rival sons has 3 pedal Boards going at once 😂

[@JaySchraubMusic]

Les Claypool has entered, and 2 hours after setting up that thing he just shakes his head

[@eleven9286]

John Frusciante has left the chat

[@fede018]

He replaced his vintage pedals with a $600 multi-effects?! I can hear the heads of guitar forum members exploding

[@iainmcguire7190]

Yeah, he didn't. They gave him some money to say he did, so he said he did

[@fede018]

@@iainmcguire7190 he still uses it live instead of having a big ass pedalboard like John Frusciante, so...

[@iainmcguire7190]

@@fede018 I dunno, i think i'll believe that when i see some tour photos of his setup, and that's the only pedal on the floor in front of him ....

[@russellhayden82]

He uses the line 6 helix which is way more than $600.

[@chippchipp1]

The Line 6 Helix is around $1,600, not $600.

[@punky2deep]

Wow bill burr knows a lot about guitar sounds such a versatile guy

[@punky2deep]

@Jay McDanieL cmon let a man have his 2 minutes of fame why so salty

[@Cognitoman]

Lol!

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Who? We are music people. I've heard the name but I'm sure Bill Burr rather, looks like Billy Corgan to me.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Oh yeah I looked him up, I seen him on netflix awhile back, don't like his comedy but he's a talented guy. Just don't like that type of comedian.

[@jeff7764]

Lamest fucking comment on KZbin

[@shortwidgets]

Billy always surprises me on how articulate and smart the guy is

[@nikolaig1]

Hes smarter than some college students i went to college with.

[@jimpgo9196]

Until he starts talking about lizard people.

[@ColonelPaynus]

He’s a Trump supporter. So… there’s that, too.

[@DarkShadows-me2fj]

@@ColonelPaynus bringing politics into this is stupid. Let’s just leave it alone dude.

[@Adyman182]

Being a songwriter for one of the greatest bands of all time, it's actually how it should be. Having cookie-cutter randos or downright illiterate oddballs as the biggest names in music today absolutuly corrodes the fabric of the modern music industry and artistry.

[@GabzitoHD]

I think I've watched this video 10 times now

[@samkoopmann8833]

And his video with Carsten Amplification

[@adambosse]

It’s like, school. Professor corgan, amps 101

[@elliotmorley9075]

me too

[@danreyburn]

7 here

[@ryanendreszl6976]

Fucking same

[@tomz1989]

He may be a cocky confident person but fuck he fully knows what he is talking about. And as well he knows how to do it or achieve what he wants in terms of sound tone. That's why I admire him.

[@carolinehaf21]

I think it's great for guitarists who prefer (or are better) rhythm/riff players to understand what he said about effects that suit that style and having trouble finding a lead tone when you might need it... as opposed to always seeing demo's from players who prefer lead.

[@NoName-fo7mz]

He’s a terrible guitarist and musician all around. Got totally lucky.

[@mrmac6356]

100%......Confidence is OK when it is backed up with intelligence. Confidence mixed with stupidity is a very dangerous combination.

[@zacharyrossi904]

@@NoName-fo7mz He does every solo and sings at the same time. listen to the solos on Gish.

[@Davidwv97]

@@NoName-fo7mz you're not edgy

[@funkybee6506]

He's so good at articulating his thoughts.

[@u563rick6]

Love his chef analogy!

[@LoveStallion]

Billy Corgan: The man who has the audacity to want his live sound to emulate that which was recorded.

[@kristopherryanwatson]

that isn't remotely true.

[@blgdinger3]

I mean that's a lot of bands... just they dont have any idea how to do it

[@snotrod33]

That's every good musician

[@snotrod33]

@@kristopherryanwatson what? How so?

[@nightowl1654]

What are you even saying? That's the goal moron!

[@kalannorman3275]

His chord progressions for songs like "mayonnaise" ,"luna", "1979" , ect are truly timeless and iconic. It takes about 2 seconds of hearing Billy play to know that it's him. Thats what sets him apart. Not to mention that his sound was revolutionary and recognizable. Easily one of my favorite guitar players. Their music has stood the test of time and never gets old. Absolutely love them.

[@khail127]

That Tonight Tonight guitar sounds was always the sound that I envy the most from Billy. Dreamy sound with punch, yet clean but distorted. Hard to explain.

[@zzzz-sf5lr]

It has body and definition I would say....

[@ToneSherpa]

To me it always sounded like it had some kind of a weird pickup situation almost like a piezo or something.

[@Akuto420]

He's one of the most underrated guitarist

[@guesswho22peekaboo]

Not after this video

[@Akuto420]

@eric morinho lucky bastrrrrd

[@lolobuggah2670]

He's not that underrated. He's legendary.

[@leahbuh9270]

Nah he's bald and fat

[@PhantomPanic]

Oh God not another underrated comment...

[@joshblank1]

One of the most creative artists ever (lyrics, sound, image, Guitar, art, philosophy, etc)

[@andrewross4685]

Billy has been my guitar idol since I first picked up a guitar. As a writer, composer, and guitarist, he is utterly unsurpassed by his contemporaries.

[@LilSirAxolotl]

Billy Corgan starts to look more and more like Phillip McKnight with each passing year

[@tomnoonan306]

hahahaha

[@veg9097]

Lmao

[@juvenromero3715]

Know your gear! Lol

[@raleighdentcompany]

You never seen them in the same room together....just sayin'.....

[@LilSirAxolotl]

@@raleighdentcompany 😂

[@300rivers7]

I'm stunned that no one ever mentions this dude when talking about guitar greats. He's loaded with skill that just flows.

[@BloodAndGutsTV]

He wants the guitar to explode when he plays it.

[@submarinemedia8316]

Playbackjunkie Facts. I’ve always thought his leads were on the verge of melt with the different changes in tone and modulation.

[@MichaelSkelton]

From what I once read in Guitar Player, he used a y switch to feed his output at the end of the track Cherub Rock into a $hitty little amp that couldn't handle the gain and signal, and the amplifier pretty much broke at that moment, hence the corroding, melting sound effect at the end of that song. So I guess the guitar didn't quite explode but more or less sounded like it.

[@iditarod4081]

@@MichaelSkelton whats a y switch

[@Jamie-lf1nj]

@@iditarod4081 it’s a pedal which has two outputs so basically you can plug into two amps at once and change intantly

[@amauriherrera6022]

I love his dedication to having the studio sound on Live. I notice that almost all musicians just record an albums and call it a day. Which begs the question of attending Lives or not. The man certainly loves his craft. I really like his pursuit on the interactive aspect of sound. This makes the songs like characters from different series. It separates him from other artists who just play the show for money. Also SP has always been legendary for having very elaborate effect execution in their music. Billy's blended effects are like sonic paintings.

[@AD-kv9kj]

Just a shame he's only good in the studio. Live he can't sing and his tones are thin and messy.

[@richardpizzahut08]

@@AD-kv9kj Your crazy and must have been high or drunk when you saw them. I just seen them in May and the show rocked and his voice was excellent. You must have read the Darcy comments. I bet you watch alot of CNN & MSNBC & voted for Biden. Lol

[@saam6768]

Billy: "It's impossible to have 15 pedals in a live set up." Kevin Shields: "Hold my beer."

[@mattgilbert7347]

Zachary Vex: "Challenge accepted" (He once did 29 using a loop gate. No noise, amazing sounds)

[@cdreyes81]

Well you COULD do that or you can just be smart about it, streamlined, he did all the pedal stuff in the past but he never went overboard, which is fine. He doesnt have to have that kind of gimic. Shop smart, shop S mart

[@holotape]

@@Dan-G.1979 Because they played 31 songs every night on their last tour, I guess.

[@y488]

Haha, and Shields has a dozen or so Jaguar guitars brought to all mbv shows.

[@jessicamoore1314]

Adam Granduciel gives his beer away too.

[@JohnFoley1701]

When your playing styles and back catalogue span decades your toolbox gets bigger. He’s found a way to compress everything into a few pedals. Guitar purists and hobbyists might shake their heads at the multi effect platforms and emulators, but a working professional looks for the shortest distance between two points.

[@IllusionistBeatsOfficial]

@Seto kaiba a musician is someone who uses whatever tools available to them to create music. Don't demean other musicians' craft because it differs from your own. Everyone has their unique talents, interests, and sound. And that's part of what makes music so great. There's something for everyone.

[@IllusionistBeatsOfficial]

@Seto kaiba welcome to the Internet, where the dumb shit you say is preserved for eternity in digital form

[@neonumber9885]

@Seto kaiba and we'll never forget.

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

The guitar work on Siamese Dream still blows me away. Billy has got to be one of the most slept on guitar players in rock.

[@s.w.126strawberry6]

I agree, my favorite album, my favorite guitarist I think.

[@steppenpark5254]

he's done it right and he's done it his way. this guy is amazing and deserves respect as a guitar legend

[@MUN00K]

Smart guy. Glad to see him back out and about making music!! I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again Siamese Dream is one of the best rock albums *ever*. Well, maybe top 100 but still... that album is a banger start to finish and this man wrote it. Respect that.

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

Def top 20, in my opinion.

[@rhythmace1]

@Simba Wow, couldn't disagree more! I can't imagine the album without it tbh. Interesting to hear that viewpoint tho.

[@ClerigoPC]

Definitely top 50 of all time. Easy.

[@Joker-ig8im]

Best album from the 90's

[@pegaz.]

Hi, don't forget Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness - by the way, they have very good albums up to Adore. Machine? to be honest, more interesting albums were until 2000 - after 2000 all "grunge" bands never made such albums as before 2000. This is my opinion :) Of cors Love Billy and SP :)

[@licccio2133]

He speaks like a guy who always listened to their recording engineer. Respect.

[@MrASM78]

A true genius and rock god. Their first 4 albums are good beyond belief.

[@bucksatanII]

His guitar tone on Melancholy is one of the greatest ever recorded

[@teamyordle23]

"It's all in the hands." Well said. I learned to play guitar on a cheap acoustic and as much as I hated not being able to play with a distortion pedal and an Marshall amp I learned how to play cleanly over the years because the mistakes won't disappear in the distortion.

[@pikeipa]

I mean that solo from Cherub Rock has got to be one of the best solos of all time. Every time I hear it I’m just like wtf amazing.

[@kuma1388]

I still can’t believe he’s a pro wrestling promoter. It cracks me up.

[@jero667]

Me too... Just found out on his Instagram account the other day... Also, Hail papa IV

[@only5186]

Me to bro! Never would have thunk it! But ya gotta make money and he obviously enjoys it.

[@storyallegory]

SAME. I just learned this recently, and I have a lot of questions!

[@RozenockDoll]

And you should all be watching NWA Power

[@kuma1388]

Denver Dollface I watched that once and I wanted to poor bleach into my eyes.

[@carlossimpson]

Your art was always there when I needed a friend in my teenage times... Thank you!

[@jcm8009]

Billy has never shyed away from his love of metal and he is still a kid at heart with a razor sharp mind Luv Um!!

[@tylerdurden4248]

Remember he talking about touring not recording!

[@erictoniaschwab1009]

Tyler Durden Yes. Very different animal.

[@kidamnesiac6823]

touring gear is so much better than recording gear🤑

[@mytorment]

With sophisticated buffering systems, obvious beyond DI interfacing, and concise/ commutable data transfer your engineer, producer and financier will thank you. You could have a pumpkins multi style album all pre worked out and laid down in one day, or spend the day trying out different tubes, I'm pointlessly antinomising here

[@e.paradigm7415]

I NEVER realized how GOOD Billy was in playing guitar until I saw them live. For the most part it was Jeff and James that I saw shred it up, but there was a song--which I don’t remember which one it was--where Billy absolutely DOMINATED!! Lol 😂 I turned to my buddy and we were both with our jaws dropped! I kid you not, it was truly an insane solo. After that I paid much closer attention to The Smashing Pumpkins guitar playing. 🎸 🔥

[@jeromykriege]

Black Sabbath is his hero while he is my hero. Yet he will never know how much he and his music means to all of us.

[@lukeingram7655]

If you watch enough Corgan interviews you realize he can only talk for about 5 min without mentioning Black Sabbath

[@challism]

We just got 9+ mins of amazing shop talk from a Professional musician who has sold a lot of records. We got info for free. This video has been on youtube for 1 month and 3 days, and 116 morons gave it a thumbs down. Why, because you don't like Billy, or you don't like Line6? Either way, it was a solid 9+ mins of great info. I don't care if I hate the musician, I appreciate their insight.

[@peterhubek]

Because he sounds like shit and play in a similar way. And that's it. You can talk about how successful he is etc. There are people out there who play better thant this guy you've never heard of. So those are the facts.

[@mornixnl]

@@peterhubek Really? Could you give us some names because I would love to have a few more albums like Mellon Collie... or Siamese dream in my collection. I am sure your unknown geniuses produced a few of those. 😉

[@peterhubek]

@@mornixnl so this is the reaction that I've expected that will come. No I can't it is top secret not to sound like shit. Even 10 year old kid is capable to dial in better sound. And please do not mix two things. Composition vs sound vs playing ability. I didn't tell that his music is wrong, just listen to the sound. Maybe it's ok in overall mix ....

[@mornixnl]

@@peterhubek Haha allright. Good to hear I lived up to someone's expectations. But i still think you are wrong. This part is about sounds not whether you can dial it in "like your supposed to" or his qualities as a guitar player or singer. But the good thing is this is the best of all possible worlds where you can spend your time with time 10 year old technical wonders and I spend mine with Mr Corgans music. Cheers sir.

[@peterhubek]

@@mornixnl so then I'm sorry about you. The sound is very subjective, period. But there are still some limits where it starting to sound awful. So maybe yours are different which is completely fine.

[@Tata_Jana_Rodo]

I don't listen to SP but I respect them for creating a trademark sound of 90s. It's difficult to write quality music but only the best can mix good melodies, complex arrangements and unique sound. Icons.

[@johnbraucher1499]

Way I see it is every band (almost) has SOMETHING that SOMEONE liked, that thinks differently than you, and the bands are famous for it, so why not put yourself into other people's perspective ya know. :) Another very underrated band, that is pretty big still is disturbed. One of the most creative and interestingly intelligent music in history Imo

[@johnbraucher1499]

I like something about EVERY Metallica album, just because they have this....thing that's unexplainable. Each album is different and has something to do with a big part of their lives. It's like they live a few years longer and then write about those few years of the adventure of life. It's beautiful, and even though they're huge I think a lot of people shouldn't trash talk Metallica, I've found that it's more like the fans who sold out than Metallica, they do whatever they want and whatever comes to mind that they want to theme their next album by and don't give a shit what people think about it. How much more metal can you get then that?

[@Pedro72740]

@@johnbraucher1499 I agree. I saw them ar Ozzfest 2001. I hadn't heard anything like them before. The entire CD is a masterpiece.

[@Pedro72740]

@@johnbraucher1499 Newstead said in an interview once when asked what he thought about ppl saying they sold out: Yes we sell out, every time we play, every seat in the house, sold out.

[@marioahu]

I love when he says, "I don't have time to run around like a bolero dacer" in a monotone voice. LOL

[@JoanneDunham]

I like hearing him talk like that too. There was a time when he didn't feel he could be himself because it was expected of him to be the gimmick (the angry goth guy ,if you will).

[@evanwdobitas9194]

I can’t stop obsessing with the color silver especially on a guitar. Its been a staple in most of Smashing Pumpkins visuals and I can’t get enough of it!

[@user-zd2zd8pt2h]

I could absolutely listen to him talk about gear all day..

[@guitarofdestiny]

Absolutely incredible insight. That was awesome

[@stbreal]

I do the same thing. Bought it for the amp modeling but am blown away with how amazing the effects are, especially the drive pedals. Very authentic and organic sounding/feeling.

[@RyanLBrown9396]

When he’s not trying to kill Superman, he’s a pretty good guitar player

[@EmopunkDr]

He's so nice, humble and talkative in this video. I just love it. I love his music.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

Billy has just come full circle to 1988 when every Guitarist dumped their floor gear for rack gear ... then 4 years later regretted it. I'm waiting for the video where he talks about buying all his old stomp boxes again ...

[@jonathanstewart1519]

He's used rack stuff since 93, he's an addict

[@poobgooblin]

As if this is a revelation of his and not a marketing ploy

[@rhythmace1]

The fact that technology has progressed for 3 decades since then might have some bearing on whether he does come to regret it. People fetishise age and analogue circuitry when it comes to guitar gear. Sometimes it is justified, but a lot of the time it is just that - a fetish. I love the idea of analogue stomp boxes and valve amps, but the idea anyone can really tell the difference between that and a modern digital modelling setup over a big PA in some arena is daft.

[@gavinpicard3003]

aramando agreed. analog will always be better, but practicality matters. in a live context, it’s significantly easier to have a multi fx pedal. also, people seem to forget that technology has improved in the past 3-4 decades. the difference is honestly minimal at times ESPECIALLY if the multi fx is going into a tube amp.

[@closer71]

They’re all probably still in a closet or garage at his house.

[@mayisrocha1859]

Just saw him play this past November and the whole experience was "spiritual". The music and sound he was creating was simply mesmerizing. He really rocks!!

[@briansnyder8382]

I love these tutorials Billy does. Not only an amazing musician. But a down to earth informative teacher. I find these to be almost therapeutic and look forward to watching /learning more of his stuff. Thank you Billy for sharing your insight. Please keep making more. You are the Man!!!!!

[@briansnyder8382]

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy, " "........""........" ".

[@atomaalatonal]

at around 7:30 was the perfect example of what he was talking about when he mentioned the black sabbath guitarists sound. corgan just hit a certain chord with the sabbath sound and it sounded like sabbath and all of a sudden he did some of his own styles and it totally soudned like smashing pumpkins. thats what it is, its all in the hands and the mind of the guitarist, not only the equipment.

[@jeradatherton]

Love this🤘🏼🤘🏼 Billy’s still the MAN. Blown away how highly he recommends the HX. That says a lot. He’s a seriously meticulous gear hound that has played everything.

[@ericdavidwallace]

WhaaaooooOoaaaooo... Cool!!! What a ripper. Exactly what I needed to see at this moment. Thank you Billy for doing this. You helped me immensely. You are truly amazing and special. Thank you for all the inspiration and beautiful music over the years. Love your style.

[@mikedavis1206]

Thank you for making this video!

[@cdreyes81]

Now the extended version. NICE! Now a longer one please.

[@totintug2736]

The egg has spoken

[@eltravos99]

And he has lied paid by Guitarcenter.

[@biggubba6573]

all hail the egg

[@zacdior9402]

Hard boiled Peace ✌️ out people

[@carlosramos992]

.....some basic lessons from a PH.D in beautiful Music!!!

[@mrdavidduong]

😂

[@MrRafalee]

One of my favorites from SP. Thanks for the like, whoever you are. I Missed seeing the SM in Nashville. This Is a very talented musician. It’s that heavy Grunge sound that is why, as well as his soft voice, which is why I’ve always loved this guy.

[@HillHunterME]

I love the approach to the sonic realm of his playing. Super practical and he found a good way to translate his studio sound to the Pumpkins live experience. A very good workable approach.

[@benallen4668]

Yeah like I’m gonna buy a Line6 because a Sith Lord told me its good

[@ks-zc1jh]

That's not a bad reason.

[@Xcorgi]

I agree. Line 6 sells absolute shit garbage amps that WILL fail and stop working out of the blue!

[@benallen4668]

A dude with a guitar do you mean compliment?

[@Erigorn]

Can't say I enjoy their amps (The spiders can burn in hell) but the Helix stuff is actually really decent if you know what you're doing - plus they put a ton of work into the UI which is noticeable over some other effects suites.

[@aegisreflector1239]

@@Xcorgi Not all Line6 are created equal, the 2005 plus spiders arent very good. Their early models were good. Their tube hybrids are as well

[@darykinnaman2319]

I didn't realize Billy was such a good musician. His song writing is so good and he is really a good guitar player. Toni Iommi was my first favorite guitar player, even before Jimmy Page. Billy is a great talent, his boyish looks deceive.

[@mohawkskull738]

Wow. This guys has just so much depth in his playing. I had no idea before watching this.

[@stephenmason5773]

so inspiring.. their lead tones definitely stood out beyond so many other bands..

[@hecatelove9667]

Absolute brilliance. Decades of mastery Genius... plugged in.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Talking short. More meaningful. Deep... Get out

[@azngoku666]

the cherub rock part legit sounds like someone in a guitar center trying to play that song through a digital multi effects crapbox amazing

[@killswitch6661000]

Well its his song he can actually play it how he wants

[@LetsGetHighOnMorris]

Filip Castillo YEA I respect that but his new music still sucks. I hate saying that. Someone may wonder what I’m doing here just to say that but honestly I’ve been a fan since I was around 4 years old. His music had a large impact on me...

[@trevisoverocker5784]

@@LetsGetHighOnMorris I'm honestly kind of with you. Old Pumpkins was so great, but it just doesn't hit quite like the older stuff did. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it doesn't make me keep coming back like Siamese Dream does.

[@tysonrinker5958]

He can play it however he wants to baby boy

[@Itzsfo0]

hes just tryig to hard to be radiohead....like muse n everyone else lol gish/siamese dream/pisces iscariot/mellon collie and the infinite sadness/adore 4 studio albums n 1 bsides compilation. 5 total not a bad past better then most even if the last 4 albums were meh its about 50/50 gotta give the credit where its due I think only Trent Reznor n Thom Yorke n Jonny Greenwood can maintain artsy moog synth /electronica/fusion/krautrock/lo fi /jazz improv lol billy should just tour non old glories n screech like a bird n he willbe just fine...im sure hes not hurting financially lol

[@mellitalksmovies]

Legend. Billy means a lot to a LOT of people; his sound is iconic

[@BlackFuneralFlowers]

Beautiful playing

[@DavidRFIT]

Such an underrated guitarist.

[@bradoozy]

L F Yelling at someone isn’t going to prove your point. He is underrated. He’s not talked about in the guitar community so much. If you knew you would be agreeing with him.

[@michaelray5023]

Wow. I thought I was a freakin’ nerd! Billy is a big rock wizard! Awesome!!!

[@BastognePitBull]

Great video. Billy is the man. A true student and artist.

[@motivationtheoryrunning]

This was a super interesting chat, love the Pumpkins but this made me like them more knowing the complexities to make the sounds and how he cares so much about it,,,

[@peanutbutterisfu]

I never realized how good of a player he is.

[@StephenJPilat]

I love how technical he is with it all. So organised and efficient.

[@kyleblake1273]

Billy Corgan is my hero I feel like I could talk to him for days.

[@chefcraigorrell9057]

Billy is in my top 5 favorite guitar player of all time. So good and so underrated.

[@SuperWave86]

Billy is really precise on specific distortion sound! A rock God! 🎸

[@frontsoldatmm]

Such a badass, the 90s were great thanks Billy for lots of great memories...

[@lorddarko555]

I love Billy and his music I started using Line 6 when I was just getting ready to start my first band in highschool.

[@christopher.hallissy]

Billy Corgan uses this technology the same reason a normal person would; it’s convenient and is as close to the real thing as you need.

[@brittisaacrossman]

He's really articulate regarding the gear. That doesn't surprise me about him, but it seems quite uncommon these days. Lots of wankery, and he's sitting there cutting through all of it. Hell yea, Billy!

[@cdreyes81]

Wankery indeed

[@MrKmail]

Wankery! Learned a new word today!

[@cdreyes81]

@@MrKmail it's a great word

[@MrKmail]

@@cdreyes81 After looking around me, I'm sure I'll use it often!

[@maluorno]

lol....its not wankery.... every album has different sounds. you want those songs to stay true to what's on the record when you translate them to a live setting. When you're 30 years into it, you gotta give people what they want while balancing what interests you as an artist.

[@timvanboening9432]

Truly enjoyable video. I only play in my room, so my small amp and pedal board work for me, but I dig that he can get nearly the same tone live as on studio. Over all the years, I’ve heard and red him talk about translating the tone in the studio to live.

[@lastchance848]

Starting to feel old now, love the video

[@usnchief1339]

I got to see the SPs last night in Seattle. They kicked ass! He is a very talented artist.

[@jdmac44]

PS - thank you, Guitar Center, for putting together this video presentation. I'll be sure to buy this from you when the time comes, since your online Goliath competition would never do such a thing. You earned the profit on this one, to be sure.

[@phoenixhandyman4597]

Great talk!!! It’s In the Hands!!!

[@yancieb]

Oh man this was so good. My all time favorite sound comes from John Frusciante of RHCP. His guitar sound is just so.....perfect I cant even put it into words.

[@EstadodeSitioOficial]

SP. one of the best 90s top alternative bands and still kicking asses!

[@jackman_c1]

i cant stop watching this video, so good

[@erichemard7066]

Another great player from the era. Man it brings me back. I seen the pumpkins, cake and phish in concert. One of the best shows.

[@Cimbarius]

"Ava Adore" is BRILLIANT - each song on that Album - it is my personal favourite Album by Pumpkins

[@thelastcrusader1128]

Same. It's very Depeche Mode influenced imo

[@soysaucehairdye7869]

It’s pretty much about his mom dying so a lot of the songs on that album hit close to home for me since I got into that album after my mom died. Machina is a really underrated album as well. I really love the guitars and Jimmy’s drumming on that album.

[@jodiemclauchlan1422]

His guitar always sounds beautiful.

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

Met Billy and James at Cats Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC in 90/91’. The opening band was Vanilla Trainwreck. There was a bomb threat as we entered the club and we were given the option not to attend. SP chose to play and many including us chose to attend of course. Some people in the club kept calling out for Sonic Youth songs and D’Arcy told the crowd “We’re not Sonic Youth.” very calmly. Later, I met and spoke with Billy by the stage who was basically ignored by most of the club after the show. People were around him but at that point he was an unknown along with SP at least outside of Chicago. When we left to go to our car, we saw James. My gf at the time asked him for his shirt and he replied “You can buy this at the GAP for $10”. Now Billy and James are absolute legends and that was easily one of the best shows I’ve seen, hands down. I’ll never forget how cool, soft spoken, and humble Billy was when he thanked us for supporting them.

[@jasona4253]

Legend and Birthday twin! 3/17!!!! Sharing this with my daughter who's teaching herself guitar!

[@dwightballard3868]

Gish is an incredible album- combines hard rock with an incredible and powerful emotional sensitivity.

[@itsmetheeprd]

I’m gonna have to learn some smashing pumpkins songs now!

[@ZJtraylor]

If Im ever having a shit day I can just watch Billy talk and play guitar and it something always magical to me. Grew up a big fan of Black Sabbath too. That noisy high gain madness always makes me smile. Corgan will always be my favorite guitarist deep down.

[@christiandelgado2150]

This was insane to listen to. The amount of musical knowledge in this video is just beyond me. He only touched a little on everything too. Playing music is unreal.

[@danielodland]

The solo to "Ode to no one" always felt like the most insane solo he ever did. I mean, it literally sounds like he has to keep playing to keep the amp from exploding

[@jaimeflor4181]

That’s definitely 1 of my favorite BC solo. The drums on that song are amazing too. I learned how to play the rhythm, but I couldn’t touch the solo.

[@SergeyBuikosergeb57]

Billy is a genius.