GuitarDistortedRiff
Heart-Shaped Box Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup and black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), Seymour Duncan Hot Rails (neck)
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1993. Guitar: Fender Jaguar with humbucker in bridge, used for 'In Utero' sessions. Amp: Fender Twin Reverb, as confirmed by multiple sources for 'In Utero' era. No evidence of Vox AC30 or Mesa/Boogie for this song. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Cobain approach. Pedals: Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion for main riff. No chorus, flanger, or delay audible in riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6.5
Reverb2
Treble6
Presence5
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion · distortion
Fender Jaguar (bridge pickup) → Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion → Fender Twin Reverb (spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- gritty and raw
- punchy attack
- tight palm-muted chugs
- midrange-forward
- slightly compressed
- dynamic response
- not overly saturated
- percussive
- aggressive
- clear note definition