GuitarDistortedRiff
Blew Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Univox Hi-Flier Phase 3
Pickups
P-90 style single coils (stock Univox Hi-Flier pickups)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 Power Amp (Bleach studio sessions, Reciprocal Recording 1988-1989)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1988-1989. Guitar confirmed as Univox Hi-Flier for Bleach era; amp setup inferred from Bleach session documentation and engineer Jack Endino's notes. No evidence of live rig or later gear for studio version. No chorus, delay, or modulation effects audible or cited for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence5.5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the settings for your specific rig.
Plans from $2.92/mo · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- fuzzy and saturated
- raw and aggressive
- loose, sludgy low end
- pronounced midrange growl
- grainy, compressed texture
- thick, heavy power chords
- minimal clarity, intentionally muddy
- punchy, percussive pick attack
- no audible modulation or time-based effects
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio