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On a Plain (Live Acoustic) — Nirvana1 / 2
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On a Plain (Live Acoustic) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana

Nirvana · 1990s · rock

live

Original Recording

Guitar
Martin D-18E (1959, modified with Bartolini pickups)
Pickups
Bartolini 3AV acoustic soundhole pickups (neck and bridge positions, both active)
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (silverface, mic'd for PA)
Pickup Position
Both pickups active (neck + bridge, Martin D-18E toggle in middle position)

Live acoustic performance, MTV Unplugged in New York, November 18, 1993. Guitar is a vintage Martin D-18E with both pickups active, run through a Fender Twin Reverb amp mic'd for the PA. No pedals or effects confirmed for the riff section; all effects are from the amp or PA. Acoustic set, not electric rig.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
2.5
Reverb
3.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5

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Tone Character

  • bright and jangly
  • clear and percussive
  • full-bodied midrange
  • natural acoustic resonance
  • slightly scooped lows
  • articulate high end
  • open and airy
  • dynamic response to strumming
  • subtle room reverb
  • no audible overdrive or distortion

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit amp knob settings for MTV Unplugged found; settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb clean tone for acoustic guitar in a live setting.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used for the riff section; all effects are from the amp or PA.
  • ⚠️Confirmed guitar and amp from multiple sources, but no direct photo of amp settings from this performance.
  • ⚠️Pickup selector inferred from video footage and known Martin D-18E wiring; both pickups active is standard for Cobain's MTV Unplugged tone.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kurt Cobain's live acoustic tone on 'On a Plain' is clean with a touch of warmth and slight breakup when strummed hard, typical of a piezo-equipped Martin D-18E or similar through a PA or clean amp. The EQ is balanced with slightly forward mids and moderate treble for clarity, minimal but present reverb, and neutral presence reflecting the era's live acoustic production.

Sources