Tone library / Alice in chains / Nutshell

Nutshell amp settings — Squier Frontman

The Alice in chains guitar tone for “Nutshell”, dialed in for a Squier Frontman with a Squier Bullet Stratocaster. Studio version, Jar of Flies EP (1994) (main rhythm acoustic/clean electric)

Original rig

Guild JF-55 acoustic (main fingerpicking) layered with clean electric (G&L Rampage / Les Paul) through Bogner Ecstasy clean channel, Boss CE-2 Chorus, tuned Eb Standard

Warm, intimate, woody clean tone with rolled-off top end and soft attack
Amp settings — Squier Frontman
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 6 TREBLE 4 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass6
Treble4
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE6 VOLUME8
Signal chain

01Boss CE-2 Chorus

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (adds the subtle studio electric doubling shimmer)

Rate 3 · Depth 4
Why these settings

The Squier Frontman is naturally bright and lacks a dedicated midrange control, so roll Treble down to 4 and keep Bass at 6 to simulate the warm acoustic resonance. Use the clean channel with low gain to prevent the small solid-state speaker from clipping. Setting the Strat's neck pickup with the tone knob rolled back to 6 softens single-coil snap into a round, woody acoustic-like fundamental.

PRO TIPTune down a half step to Eb standard (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb) and pick near the base of the neck with the pad of your thumb rather than a plectrum to recreate the mellow, round attack of Jerry Cantrell's acoustic track.

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

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