GuitarDistortedRiff
Radio Friendly Unit Shifter Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Mustang (early 70s, Competition Blue, stock pickups, as used by Kurt Cobain on In Utero sessions)
Pickups
Stock Fender single-coil pickups (Mustang type)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinet (as used in In Utero sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1993. Guitar and amp confirmed for In Utero sessions. PolyChorus pedal confirmed for this song's riff. No evidence of other pedals or effects in the riff section. No amp reverb or delay used on this track.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain7.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix PolyChorus · modulation
Fender Mustang → Electro-Harmonix PolyChorus → Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp → Crown Power Amp → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- abrasive and raw
- swirling, metallic modulation
- alien, spaceship-like textures
- jagged and industrial
- high-gain saturation
- pronounced feedback
- dry, no reverb
- cutting upper mids
- chaotic, unpredictable modulation
- tight, percussive attack