Stay Away — Nirvana1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

Stay Away Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana

Nirvana · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge position)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for Nevermind (1991). Guitar is a Fender Stratocaster with a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 and Marshall 4x12 cabs. Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal provides main distortion. No chorus or modulation effects used in the riff section of 'Stay Away'.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion

Fender Stratocaster (bridge Seymour Duncan JB) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp → Crown Power Base 2 → Marshall 4x12 cabinets

Tone Matcher

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Tone Character

  • aggressive and saturated
  • tight and punchy
  • mid-heavy and cutting
  • raw and uncompressed
  • percussive palm-muted chugs
  • slightly scooped highs
  • minimal ambience
  • bridge pickup bite
  • loud and dynamic
  • gritty grunge texture

Sources