Riff Tone

I Hate Myself and Want to Die (2013 Mix)

Nirvana

Guitarpunk1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Mustang (early 70s, likely Competition Blue, as used on In Utero sessions)

AmpFender Quad Reverb (1970s, silverface, 4x12 combo)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge position, swapped in Cobain's Mustang for In Utero era)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

Notes

Studio recording, 1993 In Utero sessions; 2013 Mix is a remix of the original studio take. Amp is confirmed as the main studio amp for In Utero, not the Randall. Guitar is the Mustang with DiMarzio Super Distortion in bridge, as per era and session photos. Pedals: Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion is the primary gain source for riff sections. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals in the riff section. Settings estimated based on genre, amp, and era due to lack of explicit numbers.

Tone Character(10)

very bitey and aggressivethick, saturated punk distortionmid-heavy, not scoopedpercussive attackraw and unpolishednotably bright and cuttingslightly fuzzy edgetight, punchy rhythmminimal ambiencefocused, compressed sustain

Difficulty

The riff is fast and requires aggressive, consistent strumming with palm muting and tight power chord changes, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

guitarist nails Kurt Cobain's Nirvana In Utero distorted tones with two ...What guitar was used on IHMAWTD : r/Nirvana - Reddit Anyone know what pickups nirvana and other similar bands used ...

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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