Verse Chorus Verse (Outtake) amp settings — Marshall Code 50
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Verse Chorus Verse (Outtake)”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Peavey Raptor plus. Studio outtake recorded during Nevermind sessions (Sound City, May 1991), featured on With the Lights Out — chorus/main heavy section
Fender Jaguar / Stratocaster with bridge humbucker into Boss DS-1 Distortion and EHX Small Clone chorus into Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp / Fender Twin Reverb & Marshall 4x12 cab
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion (or Code onboard Distortion block)
RECOMMENDED — not owned (use Code's onboard Distortion stomp block if loading presets)
The Marshall Code 50 is a digital modeling amp, so we select the 'OD American' preamp block to replicate Cobain's Sound City Mesa preamp gain stage rather than a standard Marshall tone. Since you own no external pedals, the amp's internal gain is set to 7 to deliver the signature chorus wall of distortion straight from the speaker. For the clean verses, roll your guitar volume down to 4 or tap down the preset gain.
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These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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