Tone library / Nirvana / Heart shaped box

Heart shaped box amp settings — Orange Crush 12

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Heart shaped box”, dialed in for a Orange Crush 12 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, In Utero (1993) — iconic chorus/solo distortion part (Drop D tuned down 1/2 step: Db-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb)

Original rig

Fender Twin Reverb/Quad Reverb + Tech 21 SansAmp Classic / Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion + EHX PolyChorus + Fender Jaguar / Univox Hi-Flier

Abrasive, mid-heavy aggressive grunge distortion with raw punch

Amp settings — Orange Crush 12

CHANNELClean

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

Engage for chorus/solo; bypass for clean verse tone

Tone 4 · Level 8 · Dist 8

02Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

Leave on low depth for subtle verse movement or kick in for chorus/solo depth

E.Level 6 · EQ 5 · Rate 4 · Depth 7

Why these settings

The Orange Crush 12 is a single-channel solid-state amp with naturally thick low-mids and no presence or reverb controls. Per double-gain prevention rules, the amp gain is kept at 2 to provide a clean platform while the Boss DS-1 drives all the chorus saturation without turning muddy through the 6-inch speaker. Treble is pushed slightly to 6 on the amp to cut through the naturally dark Orange voicing and compensate for the Infinity R humbuckers.

PRO TIPTune your lowest string to Drop Db (tune the whole guitar down a half step, then drop the 6th string a whole step) and dig in hard with a medium pick right near the bridge for the chorus riff's percussive attack.

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These settings are for a Orange Crush 12. 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.