Breed amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Breed”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio recording, Nevermind (1991) - Main Riff / Rhythm

Original rig

Fender Mustang / Strat with bridge humbucker -> ProCo Rat / Boss DS-1 -> Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp + Crown Power Base 2 into Marshall 4x12 cab

Raw, raspy, mid-heavy punk distortion with aggressive pick attack

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELOD1 (ISF set around 7/10 towards UK/Mesa character)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

Don’t have a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; adds the exact gritty analog clipping of the record

Distortion 7 · Filter/Tone 5 · Volume 7

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 uses the OD1 voice with ISF turned clockwise to replicate the saturated Mesa Studio Preamp drive without external pedals. Because the Strat bridge single-coil is brighter and thinner than Kurt's humbucker, roll the guitar tone knob to 8 and keep the amp treble at 6 to prevent high-frequency fizz. The ID:Core has no dedicated mid or presence knobs, so EQ shaping relies on the ISF and Voice engine.

PRO TIPAttack the low power chords with heavy, aggressive downstrokes close to the bridge using a medium-heavy pick to recreate the iconic percussive scrape.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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