Riff Tone

Aneurysm

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Mustang or Fender Jaguar (exact model uncertain, both used by Cobain in late 1991)

AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio, 1991 sessions)

PickupsStock single-coil pickups (Mustang) or DiMarzio PAF/Super Distortion (Jaguar, if used)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass4.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb0.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

chorusElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Small Clone

Notes

Studio recording, late 1991 (Nevermind/Incesticide era). Guitar model not 100% confirmed for 'Aneurysm' riff, but likely Mustang or Jaguar based on session photos and era. DS-2 and Small Clone confirmed for this era. No evidence of Big Muff or other fuzz on this track.

Tone Character(10)

raspy and saturatedaggressive and bitingtight and punchyraw mid-forward grungeslightly compressedbright and cutting treblemodest space from reverbmodulation shimmer from choruspercussive palm-muted chordsnot overly scooped

Difficulty

The riff is built on fast, aggressive power chords with palm muting and requires tight timing, but uses basic chord shapes and straightforward rhythm.

Sources

How to Get Nirvana's 1991 'Paramount' Guitar Tone Need help finding the best settings to sound like nirvana (on guitar)Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard - Equipboard Guitar used on Aneurysm? : r/Nirvana

This tone has been researched 6 times by the community

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