Tone library / Nirvana / breed

breed amp settings — Marshall mg30gfx

The Nirvana guitar tone for “breed”, dialed in for a Marshall mg30gfx with a Ibanez gio grgr131ex bkf. Studio version, 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 — Marshall mg30gfx
CHANNELOD-2
GAIN 8 BASS 6 MID 7 TREBLE 7 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass6
Mid7
Treble7
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01ProCo Rat 2 or Boss DS-1

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Distortion 7 · Filter 5 · Volume 6
Why these settings

Because you don't own a distortion pedal, use the MG30GFX's high-gain OD-2 channel with gain at 8 to simulate the saturated Mesa Studio Preamp and Rat dirt. The Ibanez Infinity R bridge humbucker provides the necessary high output, so keep the mids boosted to 7 to replicate the aggressive cut of the Nevermind rhythm tracks. If you later add a ProCo Rat or Boss DS-1, switch the amp to the Clean channel with gain at 2.

PRO TIPHit the strings hard right near the bridge with a stiff pick to capture Cobain's sharp, percussive fret-rattle and abrasive attack.

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