Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan believes that young musicians should have access to affordable instruments, emphasizing that expensive guitars are not necessary to create great music.
In a recent interview with Guitarist, Corgan explained why he chooses to play budget-friendly guitars, stressing the importance of making quality instruments accessible to aspiring musicians.
“It means a lot to me that a young musician can go into a music store and take a guitar that they can afford, and if they work hard like we did, they can have that same sound and have that same opportunity with that great instrument,” he shared.
As an independent musician, Corgan values the ability to play a guitar that doesn’t require heavy modifications. “I’ve certainly played super expensive guitars – but it’s pretty cool playing a guitar that doesn’t need to be souped up,” he added.
Corgan’s preference for budget guitars stems from his early experiences as a musician. In a 2023 conversation with Conan O’Brien [via Ultimate Guitar], he recounted how his first instrument was a Korean-made Les Paul copy, which he painted black and later sold to a drug dealer.
“Then I had a Fender Mustang that my father gave me. I played that for a while, but it had very weak pickups; couldn’t get the grunge sound,” he recalled.
His journey with guitars took a significant turn when Jimmy Chamberlin, Smashing Pumpkins’ drummer, sold him a 1974 yellow Stratocaster for $270—the exact amount Chamberlin needed for rent at the time. Though yellow wasn’t Corgan’s preferred color, he justified the purchase because it was the same model played by Ritchie Blackmore. Unfortunately, the guitar was stolen in 1992, but in an unexpected turn of events, he was reunited with it almost 30 years later, in 2019.
During the Guitarist interview, Corgan also reflected on a pivotal moment with guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, which shaped his perspective on tone.
“When I sat and watched Eddie Van Halen play 3 feet in front of me in the studio, I learned that it’s about the hands,” he said. “Great guitar players can get the same sound out of any amp; it’s something about the way they play.”
For Corgan, the essence of music is not about having the most expensive gear—it’s about passion, dedication, and the unique touch of the musician.
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