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Lounge Act (Devonshire Mix) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana

Nirvana · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar

Fender Mustang (early 1970s, likely Competition Blue, stock pickups)

Pickups

Stock single-coil pickups (Fender Mustang, 1970s)

Amp

Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6-A/B (1962-1964)

Pickup Position

Bridge pickup

Studio recording, Devonshire Mix sessions for Nevermind (1991). Guitar and amp confirmed for Nevermind sessions; no evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this song/section. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and amp model. No evidence of live/tour gear used for this recording.

Amp Settings

Mids

6.5

Bass

Gain

Reverb

Treble

6.5

Presence

5.5

Effects Chain

Electro-Harmonix Small Clone · chorus

Fender Mustang → Electro-Harmonix Small Clone → Fender Bassman 6G6-A/B (minimal spring reverb)

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Tone Character

raw and punchy
slightly gritty with clear note separation
tight and percussive attack
modest breakup, not overly saturated
present upper mids and treble bite
dynamic and responsive to picking
modulation shimmer from chorus
articulate, not muddy
focused low end
slight amp compression

Notes & Caveats

⚠️No direct source gives exact amp knob settings for Lounge Act (Devonshire Mix); all settings are estimated based on typical Fender Bassman usage in early 1990s grunge/punk studio context.
⚠️Guitar model and amp are confirmed for Nevermind sessions, but pickup selector position is inferred from typical Cobain rhythm usage and tone analysis.
⚠️No pedalboard photos or session notes for this specific mix; chorus pedal is included due to clear audible effect and strong evidence from similar Nevermind tracks.
⚠️No evidence of additional effects (delay, reverb, flanger, etc.) in the riff section; reverb is likely minimal and amp-based.
⚠️Pedal settings for the Small Clone are inferred from Cobain's typical usage and forum discussions, not from direct studio documentation.
⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kurt Cobain's 'Lounge Act' (Devonshire Mix) riff tone is classic early 90s grunge: crunchy but not overly saturated, with prominent mids and a dry, in-your-face sound. Typical for his Jaguar/Mustang into a DS-1/DS-2 and a clean/crunchy amp (likely a Fender or Mesa), with little to no reverb and balanced EQ for punch and clarity.