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About a Girl Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Univox Hi-Flier Phase 3
Pickups
Univox Hi-Flier stock single coils
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, Bleach album (1988-1989). Kurt Cobain used a Univox Hi-Flier with stock single coils for the clean riff sections. The amp is widely reported as a Fender Twin Reverb for the Bleach sessions, especially for clean tones. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the clean riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain3
Reverb2
Treble6.5
Presence5
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Tone Character
- bright and jangly
- clear and articulate
- slightly scooped mids
- open and dynamic
- percussive strumming
- no audible distortion
- subtle amp reverb
- no modulation effects
- uncompressed attack
- warm but present highs
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of exact amp knob settings; values estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb clean settings for late 80s/early 90s rock.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects on the clean riff section; chorus, delay, and modulation are not audible.
- Some forum posts speculate about other amps, but consensus and most reliable sources point to Fender Twin Reverb for Bleach clean tones.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical Univox Hi-Flier use and the bright, clear tone on the recording.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kurt Cobain's 'About a Girl' tone is classic edge-of-breakup/crunch with a distinctly mid-forward, British-voiced character (likely a JC-120 or small combo amp with a DS-1 pedal), moderate bass, and restrained treble for warmth. The production is dry with little reverb, matching late-80s/early-90s grunge conventions.