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Riff Tone

Big Long Now

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarEpiphone ET-270

AmpRandall solid-state head into BFI Bullfrog 4x12 cabinet

PickupsSingle coil (stock Epiphone ET-270 pickups)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6.5

mid6

treble6

reverb1.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1988-1989, Reciprocal Studios, clean section of 'Big Long Now' from Incesticide (recorded during Bleach/Incesticide sessions). Gear confirmed for this era by Guitar World and Earnie Bailey. No evidence of pedals or additional effects used for the clean riff section.

Tone Character(10)

dry and unprocessedwarm and slightly compressedpercussive palm-muted attackclear and directno modulation or time-based effectsslightly dark, not overly brighttight low endfocused midrangeminimal sustainstudio ambience only

Difficulty

The riff is technically simple but requires tight palm muting and clean execution at a slow tempo, making timing and articulation critical.

Sources

Kurt Cobain's guitars, amps & pedals: the definitive guide | Guitar World what effects are used for the intro in Big Long Now? : r/Nirvana

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Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarEpiphone ET-270

AmpRandall solid-state head into BFI Bullfrog 4x12 cabinet

PickupsSingle coil (stock Epiphone ET-270 pickups)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6.5

mid6

treble6

reverb1.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Sources

Kurt Cobain's guitars, amps & pedals: the definitive guide | Guitar World what effects are used for the intro in Big Long Now? : r/Nirvana

Notes

Studio recording, 1988-1989, Reciprocal Studios, clean section of 'Big Long Now' from Incesticide (recorded during Bleach/Incesticide sessions). Gear confirmed for this era by Guitar World and Earnie Bailey. No evidence of pedals or additional effects used for the clean riff section.

Tone Character(10)

dry and unprocessedwarm and slightly compressedpercussive palm-muted attackclear and directno modulation or time-based effectsslightly dark, not overly brighttight low endfocused midrangeminimal sustainstudio ambience only

Difficulty

The riff is technically simple but requires tight palm muting and clean execution at a slow tempo, making timing and articulation critical.

Create Free Account

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Big Long Now by Nirvana — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt