Riff Tone

Sappy

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarUnivox Hi-Flier Phase 3

AmpFender Quad Reverb (1970s 4x12 combo, studio recording)

PickupsStock Univox Hi-Flier humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, In Utero sessions (1993). Univox Hi-Flier was used for clean parts on Sappy; amp is confirmed as the Quad Reverb for most of In Utero. No evidence of live-specific settings for this clean section.

Tone Character(10)

clear and uncompressedslightly scooped midsbright and glassy top endfull-bodied low endarticulate chord definitionlight natural amp reverbdynamic and responsiveno audible breakupno modulation or chorusclassic 90s alternative clean

Difficulty

The riff is simple, using basic chords and strumming with a clean tone; no advanced techniques or fast changes are required, making it accessible for beginners.

Sources

What guitar/effects/amp were used on Sappy? : r/Nirvana - Reddit "It sounds exactly like the record" – guitarist nails Kurt Cobain's Nirvana In Utero distorted tones with two pedals, a Fender amp and some insider information | MusicRadar Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard

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