Riff Tone
Stay Away
Nirvana
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarEarly-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp and Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker (bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass4.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb0
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Nevermind sessions (1991). Clean tone achieved by using the Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp's rhythm channel with low gain and no distortion pedal. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the clean riff section.
Tone Character(10)
clear and punchydry and unprocessedtight attackbright but not harshfocused midrangeminimal bass for clarityno audible reverb or ambiencebridge pickup articulationdynamic and responsivestudio-clean, not glassy
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate power chord changes and tight muting at a brisk tempo, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarEarly-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp and Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker (bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass4.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb0
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Nevermind sessions (1991). Clean tone achieved by using the Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp's rhythm channel with low gain and no distortion pedal. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the clean riff section.
Tone Character(10)
clear and punchydry and unprocessedtight attackbright but not harshfocused midrangeminimal bass for clarityno audible reverb or ambiencebridge pickup articulationdynamic and responsivestudio-clean, not glassy
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate power chord changes and tight muting at a brisk tempo, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking.
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