Artists / Nirvana

Nevermind artwork

Drain You guitar tone

Nirvana · Nevermind · 1991 · Grunge

High Gain

Main Riff

AmpVox AC30
GuitarGibson Les Paul
PickupBridge humbucker
GAIN9
BASS5.5
MID4.5
TREBLE6
PRESENCE6
REVERB0.5

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer boost
    Drive 1.5 · Tone 5.5 · Level 9
    Nearly-clean boost that tightens the low end.
  2. Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor eq
    Threshold 5.5
    Keeps the palm-muted riffs tight and quiet.

Keep the noise gate fast so palm mutes stay percussive.

Lead

Solo Boost

AmpVox AC30
GuitarGibson Les Paul
PickupBridge humbucker
GAIN10
BASS5.5
MID5
TREBLE6
PRESENCE6
REVERB0.5

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer boost
    Drive 1.5 · Tone 5.5 · Level 9
    Nearly-clean boost that tightens the low end.
  2. Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor eq
    Threshold 5.5
    Keeps the palm-muted riffs tight and quiet.
  3. MXR Carbon Copy delay
    Time 4.5 · Repeats 3 · Mix 3
    Kicks in for the solo — repeats tucked under the dry signal.

Lead variant: extra gain and mids to cut through, delay for width. Pick nearer the bridge and let bends sustain.

These are starting points, not gospel. Every amp is a little different, so let your ears do the last 10%.

Open in ToneAmp

Adapt this tone to your own amp and pedals in the app.

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