GuitarDistortedRiff
In Bloom Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender 1969 Competition Mustang
Pickups
Stock single-coil pickups (Fender Mustang, late 60s)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp (with Marshall 4x12 cabinet)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Nevermind' (1991). Guitar confirmed by session photos and interviews; amp setup confirmed by producer Butch Vig and multiple rig rundowns. This is the distorted riff/chorus tone, not the clean intro/verse.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus · chorus
Fender Mustang → Boss DS-1 Distortion → EHX Small Clone Chorus → Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp → Crown Power Amp → Marshall 4x12 cab
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Tone Character
- sharp, serrated attack
- thick, saturated distortion
- aggressive, punchy power chords
- slightly scooped mids but not thin
- gritty, raw grunge texture
- tight, percussive rhythm
- full-bodied, cutting tone
- chorus shimmer on heavy sections
- dynamic, loud pick attack