Back to CommunityCreate Free Account
Riff Tone
Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio DP103 PAF in neck, DP100 Super Distortion in bridge)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1960s/early 1970s, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording for 'In Utero' (1993). Clean riff section is widely reported to use the Jaguar with neck pickup into a clean Fender Twin Reverb. No evidence of chorus or modulation effects on the clean riff; chorus was used on 'Come As You Are' but not 'Heart-Shaped Box'.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate and clearslightly scooped midswarm neck pickup characterpercussive attackFender amp sparklestudio claritydynamic response to pickingsubtle spring reverb ambienceno audible modulation
Difficulty
The clean riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires careful picking and muting to maintain clarity and articulation, making it easy for most players but demanding good technique for a polished sound.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio DP103 PAF in neck, DP100 Super Distortion in bridge)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1960s/early 1970s, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording for 'In Utero' (1993). Clean riff section is widely reported to use the Jaguar with neck pickup into a clean Fender Twin Reverb. No evidence of chorus or modulation effects on the clean riff; chorus was used on 'Come As You Are' but not 'Heart-Shaped Box'.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate and clearslightly scooped midswarm neck pickup characterpercussive attackFender amp sparklestudio claritydynamic response to pickingsubtle spring reverb ambienceno audible modulation
Difficulty
The clean riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires careful picking and muting to maintain clarity and articulation, making it easy for most players but demanding good technique for a polished sound.