Riff Tone

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Live at Pier 48, Seattle, WA, 12/13/93)

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Jag-Stang Prototype (1993, left-handed, as used by Kurt Cobain at Live and Loud)

AmpTech 21 SansAmp Classic (used as preamp/amp simulator direct to PA, Live and Loud 1993)

PickupsDiMarzio H-3 (bridge humbucker), stock single coil (neck)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionDOD DOD FX69 Grunge

distortionTech 21 Tech 21 SansAmp Classic

flangerElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Polychorus/Echoflanger

Notes

Live performance at Pier 48, Seattle, 12/13/93. Kurt ran his Jag-Stang into a DOD FX69 Grunge and/or Tech 21 SansAmp Classic, with modulation from EHX Polychorus/Echoflanger. No traditional guitar amp was used for the main tone; SansAmp was run direct. Effects order and pedalboard confirmed by multiple sources and video/photo evidence.

Tone Character(10)

very aggressive, biting distortionthick and mid-heavypronounced flanger sweep/noiseraw, abrasive attackgrainy, compressed saturationchaotic modulation texturestight, percussive rhythmcutting upper midsloud, in-your-face presencegrunge wall-of-sound

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight palm muting, control of feedback and noise, and handling of modulation effects for the signature sound.

Sources

Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard Nirvana – Live And Loud - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard (page 2)Nirvana – In Utero - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Kurt's 1993 Touring Rig - includes guitars, amplification and signal chain. : r/Nirvana

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