Riff Tone

Territorial Pissings (Remastered)

Nirvana

Guitarpunk1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Japanese Stratocaster (likely 1989-1991, black, with single-coil pickups, possibly swapped bridge humbucker, but for this song likely stock single-coil)

AmpDirect to mixing console (no amp used on studio recording, distortion from pedal and console overdrive)

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Japanese Stratocaster pickups, possibly bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain9

bass5

mid6

treble7

reverb0

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionProCo ProCo RAT Distortion

Notes

Studio recording for 'Nevermind' (1991); for 'Territorial Pissings' riff, Kurt Cobain plugged his Japanese Stratocaster directly into the mixing board using a ProCo RAT distortion pedal. No amp or amp-based effects were used. This is confirmed by multiple sources and interviews with Butch Vig.

Tone Character(10)

extremely aggressive and rawabrasive fuzz/distortionbright and cuttingpiercing upper midslo-fi and punk-inspiredintentionally harsh and blown-outno ambience or reverbcompressed and saturateddirect and in-your-facechaotic and energetic

Difficulty

The riff is fast and requires aggressive, consistent strumming and energy, but uses basic power chords and straightforward rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Kurt Cobain's guitars, amps & pedals: the definitive guide Does anyone know Kurt's Pedal settings? : r/Nirvana Territorial pissings? : r/Nirvana

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