Tone library / Nirvana / Heart-Shaped Box

Heart-Shaped Box amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Heart-Shaped Box”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, In Utero (1993) — iconic chorus/solo distortion tone

Original rig

Univox Hi-Flier / Fender Mustang (bridge humbucker) + Tech 21 SansAmp Classic / Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion + Electro-Harmonix PolyChorus into Fender Quad Reverb / Marshall studio rig

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

Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

CHANNELUltra Gain (OD1)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	5
Presence	4
Reverb	0
Master	4

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE9 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Electro-Harmonix PolyChorus

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; key for signature chorus/solo modulation

Mode 1 · Width 10 · Tune 2 · Rate 4

02Tech 21 SansAmp Classic

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (In Utero core dirt)

Preamp 7 · Buzz 6 · Punch 8 · Drive 7

Why these settings

Because you have no distortion pedals, we use the DSL40CR's Ultra Gain OD1 channel to deliver Kurt's raw SansAmp crunch straight from the preamp. The DSL is inherently brighter than Kurt's Quad Reverb setup, so treble and presence are pulled back slightly while pushing the mids to reproduce the signature aggressive In Utero bite. Keep the resonance knob around 4 on the amp panel to keep the dropped-D riff tight without muddying.

PRO TIPTune to Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E) and tune down a half-step to Db standard; strike the open low strings hard with aggressive downstrokes near the bridge for that biting percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. 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.