Riff Tone

Rape Me (2013 Mix)

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Mustang (early 1990s, likely 1991-1993 model, as used by Kurt Cobain on In Utero sessions)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1960s/1970s, used in studio for clean tones on In Utero)

PickupsDiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion (bridge humbucker, as modded in Cobain's Mustang)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid8.5

treble6.5

reverb2.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, In Utero sessions (1993, as used for clean sections). No pedals confirmed for clean tone; amp reverb likely used. Pickup and amp confirmed by multiple sources for clean sections.

Tone Character(10)

bright and slightly gritty cleanmid-forward, punchy attackpercussive muted strumsclear note separationslightly compressednot sparkling or glassyraw, unpolished cleanmids pushed to the frontamp spring reverb adds slight spaceno chorus or modulation audible

Difficulty

The riff is beginner-friendly, using simple power chords and basic palm muting at a moderate tempo, with no advanced techniques required.

Sources

"Rape Me" clean tone? - Jag-Stang.com Forum Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard help me making "rape me' tone : r/Nirvana - Reddit What guitar tone is Kurt Cobain using during the clean part of 'Rape ...

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