Tone library / Alice In Chains / Nutshell (Live)

Nutshell (Live) amp settings — Line6 16

The Alice In Chains guitar tone for “Nutshell (Live)”, dialed in for a Line6 16 with a Lyx pro Strat. Live at MTV Unplugged, Majestic Theatre (1996)

Original rig

Guild JF-55 acoustic / Ovation Custom Legend acoustic-electric DI into mixing console with slight ambient plate reverb and subtle chorus

Warm, resonant acoustic-electric clean with natural woody body, mild top-end sparkle, and subtle ambient room reverb
Amp settings — Line6 16
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 MID 5 TREBLE 5 REVERB 3 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Mid5
Treble5
Reverb3
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPneck+middle TONE8 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The MTV Unplugged performance used acoustic guitars played through the console DI rather than an electric guitar amp. To emulate this on an electric Strat and Spider 15/16, the Clean channel is set low on gain to prevent any clipping, with a slight low-end bump on the bass EQ to simulate the jumbo acoustic body of Cantrell's Guild. Position 4 (neck + middle) on the Strat gives the hollow, quacky chime closest to a piezo-equipped acoustic. Clean intro and outro: keep the amp dry with low gain; for subtle depth, use the amp's onboard chorus/flange FX knob dialed barely cracked on if available.

PRO TIPPick right over the front edge of the neck pickup using a thin or medium pick to round out the harsh electric attack and mimic an acoustic strum.

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These settings are for a Line6 16. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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