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Riff Tone
Been a Son (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
Nirvana
Guitarpunk1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (likely 1970s, as used by Kurt Cobain in 1991 BBC sessions)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 Power Amp (as per BBC session era, but not 100% confirmed for this track; Marshall JCM800 also possible, but no direct evidence for this session)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, BBC Mark Goodier Session, 1991. Gear is inferred from era and session context; no direct photo or interview confirmation for this exact session. Distortion pedal used for heavy tone. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects.
Tone Character(9)
raspy, biting distortionraw, aggressive attacktight, punchy power chordsmid-heavy, cutting soundslightly fizzy top endminimal reverb, dry room feelpercussive, fast palm mutinggritty, lo-fi edgecompressed, focused sustain
Difficulty
The riff is built on fast, aggressive power chords with simple left-hand shapes but requires tight right-hand picking and palm muting for the punk attack.
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Create Free AccountGuitarpunk1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (likely 1970s, as used by Kurt Cobain in 1991 BBC sessions)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 Power Amp (as per BBC session era, but not 100% confirmed for this track; Marshall JCM800 also possible, but no direct evidence for this session)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, BBC Mark Goodier Session, 1991. Gear is inferred from era and session context; no direct photo or interview confirmation for this exact session. Distortion pedal used for heavy tone. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects.
Tone Character(9)
raspy, biting distortionraw, aggressive attacktight, punchy power chordsmid-heavy, cutting soundslightly fizzy top endminimal reverb, dry room feelpercussive, fast palm mutinggritty, lo-fi edgecompressed, focused sustain
Difficulty
The riff is built on fast, aggressive power chords with simple left-hand shapes but requires tight right-hand picking and palm muting for the punk attack.