Riff Tone

The Man Who Sold the World (Live Acoustic)

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarMartin D-18E (1959, modified with Bartolini pickups)

AmpDirect Input (DI) with Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion pedal; no traditional guitar amp used for acoustic set

PickupsBartolini 3AV acoustic soundhole pickup (neck position), stock DeArmond (bridge position), both active during MTV Unplugged

Amp Settings

gain5

bass5

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

Notes

Live performance, MTV Unplugged in New York, November 1993. Acoustic guitar plugged into Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion for the main riff. No amp on stage; signal went through pedal(s) to the PA/recording desk. No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the riff section. Acoustic guitar, but with heavy distortion pedal for electric-like tone.

Tone Character(10)

raw and grittymidrange-forwardbright and cuttingpercussive attackelectric-like crunch from acousticlow reverb, dry sounddynamic strummingunpolished, live edgeslightly nasal upper midsclear note separation

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires control to avoid muddiness with distortion on an acoustic, and dynamic strumming for the live feel.

Sources

Nirvana: Super Fuzz Big Muff | Guitar World Nirvana – Live And Loud - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Confused about man who sold the world cover instrument : r/Nirvana

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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