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rhythm guitar from “about a girl” by nirvana | ToneDB

about a girl

nirvana

rhythm guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A raw, slightly fuzzy, and jangly rhythm guitar tone, characteristic of early Nirvana. It's got a distinct mid-range presence and a lo-fi aesthetic.

Gear

Fender Mustanginstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22amp
Reverb$825Sweetwater

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The Story

Kurt Cobain recorded "About a Girl" using a Fender Mustang guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 amp at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle with Jack Endino producing. The amp was set to a moderate gain level that provided slight overdrive and breakup when strummed hard, creating the song's characteristic raw, jangly rhythm tone with prominent midrange frequencies.

Production Credits

Producer: Jack Endino

Engineer: Jack Endino

Recorded at: Reciprocal Recording (Seattle, WA)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Mustang

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Mustang or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
  • Use a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 or a similar small tube amp known for its clean and slightly crunchy tones.
  • Set the amp to a moderate gain level, just enough to get a bit of breakup when you strum hard.
  • Experiment with the amp's EQ to find the sweet spot for the mid-range presence.
  • If you don't have the exact amp, try using an overdrive pedal with a clean amp to achieve a similar effect.

Original Gear

  • Fender Mustang(guitar)
  • Mesa/Boogie Studio .22(amp)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Mustang$700-$800

Alternative to: Fender Mustang guitar

Current production Mustang with the same short scale and single-coil pickups that give the jangly, raw character

ReverbSweetwater
Fender Blues Junior IV$400-$500

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 amp

15-watt tube amp that breaks up naturally at moderate volumes, delivering similar raw overdrive character

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio Lion$150-$200

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 amp

Accurately models the Studio .22's preamp circuit and natural tube breakup characteristics

ReverbSweetwater
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Mustang$300-$400

Alternative to: Fender Mustang guitar

Budget option with authentic Mustang specs including 24-inch scale and vintage-style single-coils

ReverbSweetwater
Boss Blues Driver BD-2$50-$70

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 natural overdrive

Can recreate the moderate breakup character when used with a clean amp, especially the raw midrange bite

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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