GuitarDistortedRiff
Aneurysm Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, likely modified, as used by Kurt Cobain in 1990-1991 studio sessions)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker), DiMarzio PAF (neck humbucker)
Amp
Fender Bassman (blackface, early 1960s, used in Nevermind/Incesticide era studio sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (DiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker)
Studio recording, 1991 (January 1 session for 'Aneurysm' B-side). Guitar World and Equipboard confirm Jaguar with humbuckers and Fender Bassman for this era. No evidence of live/tour rig for this specific recording.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus · chorus
Fender Jaguar (bridge humbucker) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus → Fender Bassman (with light spring reverb)
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- raspy, saturated distortion
- raw, aggressive attack
- thick, mid-heavy rhythm
- slightly scooped but not thin
- gritty, compressed power chords
- punchy, percussive chug
- fuzzy top-end sizzle
- tight, focused low end
- dynamic, responds to pick attack