Riff Tone

Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live at Reading, 08/30/92)

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely Japanese, black, as seen at Reading 1992)

AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 (as per Reading 1992 live rig photos and common 1992 live setup)

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker), stock single coils (neck/middle)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb2

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Live performance, Reading Festival 08/30/92. Guitar is a black Japanese Fender Stratocaster with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Base 2, as documented for this tour. Settings estimated for clean section; no pedal distortion engaged for clean riff.

Tone Character(10)

clear and percussive attackbright and articulateslightly scooped midstight, focused low enddynamic response to pickingno audible breakup or distortionsubtle amp reverbglassy, present highsno modulation or chorus in riffbridge pickup clarity

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires precise muting and dynamic control to maintain the clean, percussive attack and tight timing with the band.

Sources

Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard - Equipboard Kurt Cobain's guitars, amps & pedals: the definitive guide Nirvana 1992 Reading Guitar Tone - Reddit

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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