Marshall CODE 25 settings
Heart-Shaped Box settings for Marshall CODE 25
Nirvana · adapted 7 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Heart-Shaped Box" riff tone on a Marshall CODE 25, set Gain 6.5, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-18
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall CODE 25 knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 0.5
- Cabinet on (1936 (2x12, G12-T75))
- Power amp on (American Class A/B (6L6))
- Distortion on (DIS (distortion)) · 7
Playing tips
- Use a tight palm muting technique for chugging parts to achieve a punchy sound.
- Attack the strings with a percussive style to emphasize the gritty edge.
- Keep the guitar volume at a higher level to ensure clarity and presence in the mix.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall CODE 25 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 are the best Marshall CODE 25 settings for Heart-Shaped Box?
Set Gain 6.5, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.
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 Fender Stratocaster. 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 Marshall CODE 25
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.