Tone library / Nirvana / Heart-Shaped Box

Heart-Shaped Box amp settings — Line 6 Spider ii 75w

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Heart-Shaped Box”, dialed in for a Line 6 Spider ii 75w with a Jay Jr Flying V. Studio version, In Utero (1993) — iconic chorus/solo distortion tone

Original rig

Univox Hi-Flier / Fender Mustang + Tech 21 SansAmp Classic / Boss DS-2 + EHX PolyChorus into Fender Quad Reverb / Marshall studio rig

Raw, aggressive mid-pushed grunge distortion with tight low-end and bite

Amp settings — Line 6 Spider ii 75w

CHANNELClean GreenBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	6
Mid	6
Treble	5
Reverb	2
Master	5

Don’t have a Line 6 Spider ii 75w? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01EHX Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker

Wicker switch ON, Tone switch ON (run direct into amp input)

Volume 7 · Tone 6 · Sustain 7 · Wicker 10 · Tone Switch 10

Why these settings

The owned Big Muff Tone Wicker serves as the primary gain engine, so the Line 6 Spider II is set to Clean Green with amp gain at 2 to prevent muddy double-gain stacking. Engaging the Wicker switch adds the upper-mid bite and harsh treble edge needed to replicate Cobain's aggressive SansAmp drive. The Flying V humbucker provides the necessary punch and body to nail the heavy chorus riff.

PRO TIPDrop your low E string down to D (Drop D tuning) and strike the power chords aggressively near the bridge to capture Kurt's signature percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Line 6 Spider ii 75w. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, 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.