GuitarDistortedRiff
Come As You Are Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar (1991 studio recording, but possibly Fender Mustang or 1960s Fender Jaguar; sources conflict, but Jaguar is most cited for Nevermind sessions)
Pickups
DiMarzio PAF (neck), DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge) humbuckers (Jaguar); if Mustang, stock single coils
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp (studio recording, Nevermind era)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (for warmer, darker tone; most likely on Jaguar or Mustang)
Studio recording for 'Come As You Are' (1991, Nevermind). Guitar World and Equipboard confirm Small Clone chorus pedal and DS-1 distortion pedal. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 preamp into power amp. Guitar likely Jaguar with humbuckers, but some sources mention Mustang with single coils. Chorus effect is critical for the watery riff sound.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain5
Reverb1
Treble6
Presence5
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone · chorus
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
Guitar → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus → Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp → Power Amp
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Tone Character
- watery and modulated
- dark and brooding
- slightly gritty edge-of-breakup
- lush chorus shimmer
- single-note clarity
- not fully clean, subtle breakup
- warm and rounded
- distinct modulation swirl
- no harsh treble
- open, unmuted picking