Riff Tone
On a Plain (Live Acoustic)
Nirvana
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarMartin D-18E (1959, modified with Bartolini pickups)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (silverface, mic'd for PA)
PickupsBartolini 3AV acoustic soundhole pickups (neck and bridge positions, both active)
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live acoustic performance, MTV Unplugged in New York, November 18, 1993. Guitar is a vintage Martin D-18E with both pickups active, run through a Fender Twin Reverb amp mic'd for the PA. No pedals or effects confirmed for the riff section; all effects are from the amp or PA. Acoustic set, not electric rig.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclear and percussivefull-bodied midrangenatural acoustic resonanceslightly scooped lowsarticulate high endopen and airydynamic response to strummingsubtle room reverbno audible overdrive or distortion
Difficulty
The riff is based on open chords and steady strumming, requiring good timing and dynamic control, but no advanced techniques or fast changes.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarMartin D-18E (1959, modified with Bartolini pickups)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (silverface, mic'd for PA)
PickupsBartolini 3AV acoustic soundhole pickups (neck and bridge positions, both active)
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live acoustic performance, MTV Unplugged in New York, November 18, 1993. Guitar is a vintage Martin D-18E with both pickups active, run through a Fender Twin Reverb amp mic'd for the PA. No pedals or effects confirmed for the riff section; all effects are from the amp or PA. Acoustic set, not electric rig.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclear and percussivefull-bodied midrangenatural acoustic resonanceslightly scooped lowsarticulate high endopen and airydynamic response to strummingsubtle room reverbno audible overdrive or distortion
Difficulty
The riff is based on open chords and steady strumming, requiring good timing and dynamic control, but no advanced techniques or fast changes.
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