Riff Tone
Lounge Act
Nirvana
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarEarly-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (left-handed, rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) → Crown Power Base 2 power amp → Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12T-75 speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass4.5
mid7.5
treble6
reverb0
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion
Notes
Studio recording, 1991, Nevermind sessions. All evidence points to this setup for the distorted rhythm/riff sections. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific part.
Tone Character(9)
aggressive and saturatedmid-forward and cuttingtight and punchyraw and gritty textureminimal ambience (dry)articulate power chord attackslightly compressedpercussive palm mutingclear note separation under distortion
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and aggressive, consistent picking, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarEarly-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (left-handed, rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) → Crown Power Base 2 power amp → Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12T-75 speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass4.5
mid7.5
treble6
reverb0
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion
Notes
Studio recording, 1991, Nevermind sessions. All evidence points to this setup for the distorted rhythm/riff sections. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific part.
Tone Character(9)
aggressive and saturatedmid-forward and cuttingtight and punchyraw and gritty textureminimal ambience (dry)articulate power chord attackslightly compressedpercussive palm mutingclear note separation under distortion
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and aggressive, consistent picking, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Lounge Act settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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