Blew amp settings — Joyo Dc-15
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Blew”, dialed in for a Joyo Dc-15 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Bleach (1989) — recorded December 1988 at Reciprocal Recording, Seattle
Fender Twin Reverb '68 (Jack Endino's) + Boss DS-1 Distortion + Fender Mustang/Univox Hi-Flier in Drop C tuning
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 8 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion (RECOMMENDED — not currently owned)
RECOMMENDED — essential for this tone. The DS-1 was Kurt's primary dirt source on Bleach. Run into amp's clean channel if you acquire one, then drop amp gain to 2-3.
Your Joyo DC-15 is a solid-state practice amp with a Marshall-voiced overdrive channel — more midrange bite than the original Fender Twin, which was used clean as a pedal platform. Without a DS-1, I'm pushing the amp's overdrive channel harder (gain 7) to approximate the grinding distortion. Roll treble back slightly (7 vs Kurt's reported 8) because the Joyo's solid-state clipping gets fizzy. Your GRG170DX humbuckers are hotter than Kurt's single-coil Mustang pickups, so the gain translates well. Tune to Drop C if possible — that's half this tone's identity.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Joyo Dc-15. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
Get ToneAdapt on Google PlaySong, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.