Distorted Tone

On A Plain

Nirvana

Bassrock1990s

Original Gear

BassGibson RD Artist Bass

AmpAmpeg SVT (likely Blue Line or SVT-II, classic 8x10 cab)

PickupsDual humbuckers (active Moog circuit, but used passive mode for most of Nevermind)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble6

presence6

compression3.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionProCo ProCo RAT

Notes

Studio recording, 1991, Nevermind sessions. Krist Novoselic on bass. Some sources mention Fender Bassman and Vox AC30 for guitars, but Ampeg SVT is the consensus for bass.

Tone Character(9)

gritty low endmidrange growlslightly fuzzy edgeaggressive pick attackfull-bodied with some breakupclear note definitionnot overly scoopedpunchy attackslight compression

Difficulty

The part is rhythmically straightforward and relies on a steady pick attack, but requires control to maintain clarity and punch with a driven tone.

Sources

Krist Novoselic’s bass tone Krist Novoselic Does anyone know Krists bass style and tuning? : r/Nirvana

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