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Riff Tone
Curmudgeon
Nirvana
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (early 70s, Competition Blue, stock pickups, likely used for 'Curmudgeon' studio recording)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp (as used by Cobain for B-sides and Nevermind outtakes, including 'Curmudgeon')
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1991 (Nevermind B-side session). Guitar and amp inferred from era and session details. No evidence of live-specific gear for this song.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedheavily modulatedaggressive and rawcompressed and densepronounced midrangeswirling phaser textureabrasive and grittywall-of-sound rhythmlo-fi, almost synth-likeminimal clarity, maximal impact
Difficulty
The riff is fast and aggressive but uses straightforward power chords and picking; the main challenge is keeping articulation through dense phaser and distortion.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (early 70s, Competition Blue, stock pickups, likely used for 'Curmudgeon' studio recording)
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp into Crown Power Amp (as used by Cobain for B-sides and Nevermind outtakes, including 'Curmudgeon')
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1991 (Nevermind B-side session). Guitar and amp inferred from era and session details. No evidence of live-specific gear for this song.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedheavily modulatedaggressive and rawcompressed and densepronounced midrangeswirling phaser textureabrasive and grittywall-of-sound rhythmlo-fi, almost synth-likeminimal clarity, maximal impact
Difficulty
The riff is fast and aggressive but uses straightforward power chords and picking; the main challenge is keeping articulation through dense phaser and distortion.