GuitarDistortedRiff
Drain You Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1991-1992 Fender Japan Mustang (Sonic Blue, stock pickups, bridge position)
Pickups
Stock Fender Japan single-coil (neck), stock humbucker (bridge)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp and Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1991 (Nevermind album). Guitar: Sonic Blue Fender Mustang with bridge humbucker. Amp: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 preamp into Crown power amp and Marshall 1960A 4x12 cab. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects on the riff; distortion from pedals and amp. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Cobain rig for this song/section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
Fender Mustang (bridge pickup) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp → Crown Power Amp → Marshall 4x12 Cabinet (spring reverb on amp)
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Tone Character
- raspy, saturated distortion
- aggressive attack
- raw, fuzzy edge
- tight, punchy rhythm
- slightly scooped mids
- thick, compressed wall of sound
- percussive palm muting
- bright, cutting treble
- loose, grungy texture
- minimal clarity, intentionally messy