Drain You amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Drain You”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — main distorted riff tone
Fender Mustang with Seymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge), Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960A 4x12 cab, Boss DS-1 Distortion, Fender Bassman (layered tracks)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential for the Nevermind tone; the DS-1 was Kurt's primary dirt source. Run amp on Clean channel with gain 2-3 if you acquire this pedal.
Kurt used a humbucker Mustang into a DS-1 and clean preamp. Your Strat's single coils are brighter and lower output, so I raised mid +1 and kept treble conservative at 6 to avoid ice-pick. The MG30CFX OD1 channel approximates the Mesa grind but lacks the DS-1's fizzy attack — gain 7 gets you close without mud, but a real DS-1 clone would nail it. Recording was tracked in E♭ standard tuning.
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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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