Riff Tone

Hairspray Queen

Nirvana

Guitarpunk1990s

Original Gear

GuitarUnivox Hi-Flier Phase 3

AmpFender Twin Reverb (silverface, late 1970s model)

PickupsP-90 style single coils (stock Univox Hi-Flier pickups)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb1

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion (or DS-2 Turbo Distortion, model not confirmed for this track)

Notes

Studio recording, 1992 (for 'Incesticide' compilation, riff section). No evidence of Randall amp or other guitars/amps for this track. Based on consensus that Bleach and Incesticide-era heavy tones used the Univox Hi-Flier into a cranked Fender Twin Reverb with a Boss DS-1 or DS-2 for distortion. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

raw and abrasivefuzzed-out distortionthick, mid-heavy grindlo-fi, saturated attacksludgy and aggressivegrainy, almost broken-up texturepronounced pick attackuncompressed and openminimal clarity, intentionally chaoticloud, in-your-face presence

Difficulty

The riff requires aggressive picking and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, but uses simple power chords and straightforward rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Kurt's Randall Amp : r/Nirvana - Reddit

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