Boss GX-1 settings
Heart-Shaped Box settings for Boss GX-1
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Heart-Shaped Box" riff tone on a Boss GX-1, use the TWIN amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Telecaster · updated 2026-11-11
- Amp model
- TWIN
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Open Back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1distortionRatVolume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 6
- 2reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 3
- 3compressionCompressorLevel 6 · Ratio 3 · Attack 5 · Release 5
- 4noise gateNoise SuppressorRelease 5
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use a percussive attack to emphasize the notes.
- Experiment with dynamic picking to achieve a gritty edge.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-1 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup and black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup)
- Amp
- Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s)
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Heart-Shaped Box adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Nirvana's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Boss GX-1 for Heart-Shaped Box?
Use the TWIN (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5, followed by Rat, Spring, Compressor, Noise Suppressor.
Which pickup should I use for Heart-Shaped Box?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Nirvana use on Heart-Shaped Box?
Guitar: Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup and black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup). Amp: Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Squier Telecaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Heart-Shaped Box on other amps
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Mustang LT25 · 165
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 10G · 67
- Heart-Shaped Box on Boss Katana · 62
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Champion 20 · 30
- Heart-Shaped Box on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 20
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 20G · 19
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 15G · 18
- Heart-Shaped Box on Orange Crush 12 · 17
Popular songs on the Boss GX-1
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.