Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York Guitar Tone | Amp & Pedal Settings

My attempt at recreating Kurt Cobain's iconic MTV Unplugged in New York tone. Using gear that is similar to what Kurt used
History of Kurt Cobain's Unplugged Guitar video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWfGdHileJqHmdE
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro. Gear overview, amp & pedal settings
SONGS:
5:41 - About a Girl
6:53 - Come As You Are
8:48 - Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
9:54 - The Man Who Sold The World
11:10 - Pennyroyal Tea
12:24 - Dumb
14:00 - Polly
15:01 - On a Plain
15:57 - Something in The Way
16:33 - All Apologies
17:43 - Where Did You Sleep Last Night
GEAR USED:
Sigma D18e Unplugged Build
- Vintage 90's Bartolini 3AV Soundhole Pickup
- DeArmond Rowe Dynasonic Neck & Bridge pickups
- Martin Phosphor Bronze Medium Strings 13-56
- Dunlop Orange Tortex Pick
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
Boss DS-2
Fender Twin Reverb
My amazon storefront where you can buy gear/parts Kurt used: www.amazon.com/shop/nirvanaguitars
Vandalism Strat Stickers - use coupon code "nirvanaguitars" to get 2 for the price of 1:
khristore.com/product/kurt-cobain-vandalism-guitar-sticker-beautiful-as-a-rock-in-a-cops-face/
Nirvana Gear artwork by SketchyPedals:
sketchypedals.com/collections/art-prints-1?ref=AL_JJGEQM34GE3DQMRSGEYTEOBRGYYDOMRTGU2TQML4GEZWEZRVHEZDQZBSGBRDINDEGA4GEZRSHEZGCMTFGA4DMZRWGI2Q%3D%3D%3D%3D&al_a_ic=JLH3
Lomic Guitars - Where I got my custom 2021 Jag-Stang Pickguard:
ebay.us/4Luq0j
Learn Nirvana songs with Fender Play!
prf.hn/click/camref:1101lpoaU
Follow me on instagram at @nirvanaguitars
Check out my progressive punk band at ithomiid.com
Check out my acoustic project at atlasmn

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I apologize that the video is a little choppy during “The Man Who Sold The World” and “Pennyroyal Tea”, KZbin’s copyright police came after me for very specific sections of those songs so they had to be clipped 😞 Here are full uninterrupted covers of those 2 songs with the same tone and gear! TMWSTW: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXm0mqWmbMhmfdU Pennyroyal Tea: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5W7Xpp9erd3mbs

[@amandahammond2691]

It might not be a bad idea to pin this comment to make sure it gets seen.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

@@amandahammond2691 Thank you will do! 😃

[@FOSIFER]

The curse continues ! it's YT who made Kurt slip one fret too far on the solo of "the man who sold the world "! It's the Kurt tube syndrome I think...

[@kurtcobain3681]

Sorry my dude, tone got got too close and i gotta steal every penny i can to finally get me Leadbelly’s guitar 😅

[@xdzyviperzz2331]

that's when yoy know you did a good job haha nice video man! 🤘🤘

[@tonywhitburn]

So weird listening to this without the applause. Really comes to show how exact the tone is

[@alanduncan1980]

Comes to show? Goes to show?

[@darklight4366]

@@alanduncan1980 Grammar Nazi

[@kidtea]

@@alanduncan1980Go put it back on, alan duncecap

[@enr555]

And the ok before pennyroyal tea😂

[@griif5871]

the fact that he also plays it exactly like kurt makes it so much better bc it’s like listening to the raw guitar. also as a fellow guitarist i appreciate how difficult it can be to get it that perfect, that takes skill

[@NirvanaGuitars]

You’re too kind 🙏🏻

[@TheMexicanSeaFood]

Unplugged is probably the best live performance of all time so cool that someone can make something identical to it

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Arguably one of Nirvana's best, some would say that it is their best!! Thank you 😃

[@Stemma3]

Nirvana fans can be so delusional it's almost sad. Kurt forgets how to play songs in the middle of them and it's the best live performance, he sings out of tune too.

[@user-uo1ij9bk5w]

@@Stemma3 and you're here because??

[@Stemma3]

@@user-uo1ij9bk5w KZbin recommendation. Do I have to ask you before? Give me a break.

[@scotty2tone]

@@Stemma3 while i think you’re being excessively confrontational, i kinda agree with the sentiment. Like, the BEST live show ever? Thats a hilariously bold claim and kinda makes me think OP hasnt seen a lot of live music. Sometimes the most unassuming sets can absolutely blow your mind

[@the92project]

Timbre is identical. Somehow the unplugged does sound a bit thicker or warmer. Your high strings ring brighter in these clips. Maybe that’s the mastering and mixing. Or maybe Kurt played old strings 😂 Great job!

[@johnmiller8670]

You even replicated the mistake Kurt made (slid up too far one fret) and the chords he would play before a song, that’s serious attention to detail! Good job!

[@cawfeewastaken]

I love how you included the small things like the quick soundcheck right before Come As You Are and Pennyroyal Tea. Really shows how much effort you put into these videos.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! Gotta throw in the little details 😃

[@thrillvilled111]

@@NirvanaGuitars Love it! 😍

[@TotallyNotTony_]

I think this may be the closest anyone’s gotten wow

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you so much! 🙏

[@AlexSmashX3]

Truly. I'm happy that he has a video on how he modded the guitar, I might try it some time.

[@ItsMrMcFly]

No question dude. He’s spot on.

[@philsmyth1428]

He’s not close he’s there

[@bumblisbeethe2]

@@NirvanaGuitarsplease make a video on how you made the custom Martin d-18e

[@johnmostlikely]

now that you have this tone spot on, you should make a cover of drain you with this tone. i’m really curious what it would have sounded like if they had played it at MTV unplugged

[@Sillysnare99]

That would actually be really cool

[@le0mendez]

In bloom!!!

[@solderbuff]

​@@le0mendez, Kurt actually said: "How do you imagine In Bloom acoustically???"

[@dieterhellstrom308]

Someone already did that

[@Voidedfireleg2]

Man this video and guitar is so cool I wish Nirvana was a real band

[@CoburnSawyer]

Same bro, I think nirvana would be very successful!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@kaidenlemonaden]

boy do I have news for you...

[@Helena-gk4ui]

guitars are so cool, i wish music was real

[@Voidedfireleg2]

@@Helena-gk4ui Man I love music so much, I wish I was real

[@blade6552]

I just love the acoustic guitar tones and the small clone just being added in. I just can't wait for more Nirvana acoustic guitar songs recreations.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! More unplugged videos to come 😃

[@samsschool3639]

I had to write again after my last post, I tried the same setup except I used an LR Baggs M1 for the mic signal, the Bartolini 3AV to the Amp, set the volume levels as per your advice. Connected both cables to my Zoom H6 and.... I've tried for YEARS to get Kurt's about a girl sound and when I hit that first E chord, that EXACT sound came out!!!... You know that sound when Kurt hit's that first chord it almost makes you think Krist is already playing with him on the Bass because of the warmth of the tone? I had literal tears in my eyes, and I don't even have a Dreadnought, I have this Takamine Orchestra Model thing and it still got like 90% close!. I'm thinking of getting a Richwood D-240 Custom Shop, I've tried it at the store and it sound really good, and is like 25% the price of a D18. I've watched through hundreds of KZbin about a girl cover videos and nobody could really nail the sound You are awesome man!!!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

YESS!! I can't tell you how happy that makes me 🥹 When I first started playing, I kept looking and wishing I could find videos of Kurt's gear and tones. At the time all I found were covers, some were really great but I never found anyone trying to use his gear to replicate his tones. That's the whole point of my channel! I am making the kind of videos I wish I would've found, I put all my settings out there in hopes it'll help others. Your story is really a full circle moment for me, how excited you are over recreating this tone yourself is why I do it 😊 I think what we hear on the album is mix of Kurt's Twin with a healthy amount of the live mic that's in front of his guitar. I tried really hard to get the tone with just my amp but it wasn't happening. Adding the mic was like finally finding the missing puzzle piece. I had that same first chord moment, but for me it was A minor with Pennyroyal Tea 😉 It was SUCH A RUSH to hit that chord and hear that tone I've been in love with for long

[@jubian8645]

太棒了，为你的努力付出而感动，来自北京的nirvana粉丝的敬意。❤

[@elsernall8732]

In my recent “Re-obsession” with Nirvana that I’m having at 27 just like I did when I was 17… I found your Chanel. Man, I can’t tell you how awesome I think it is that you went after everything about this guitar/tone. Amazing work that we can all enjoy.

[@chickensoupisapoopieface]

Youre amazing on the strings man! it makes us Nirvana fans proud! Enjoy your vids

[@connersd]

Freaking brilliant, man! First KZbin channel I've been stoked about in so long!

[@GRJLS.]

This is insane, great job!

[@merciless2032]

All my respect man, amazing video!

[@Zootallures100]

Great job, wonderful tones

[@xdzyviperzz2331]

oh wow this was spot on awesome. specially Polly and Where did you sleep last night because i listen to them allot and when you played them they gave me chills through my body. i see you spent a long time making this possible. great work! 🤘🤘

[@keaganerstad9477]

this is absolutely amazing, i loved that you included the solos, this is definitely the best i’ve ever heard tone wise

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you so much!! 🙏

[@sicosismusic]

Fantastic, great video and brilliant playing bro. RIP KURT

[@stevenreech8854]

Great work on the tone. I enjoyed this. You nailed it.

[@SGTGAGE]

Sounds awesome! Its cool you put a lot of time and money into this whole ordeal with the pedals, guitars effects etc. An within you your other videos.

[@jalzacubes]

MTV Unplugged is my favourite Nirvana live show and I can't thank you enough for recreating the sound of Unplugged it is spot on. Love your videos man :))

[@NirvanaGuitars]

It's definitely one of their best, it holds a special place in my heart. Thanks for the kind words and for watching 😀

[@TheDudeistMonkExperience]

Love all your Nirvana stuff!

[@tsclev]

This is incredible. Your tone is so close I just listened through the entire thing with my mouth open. Great work.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Honored to hear that 😄 thank you for watching!

[@jesseferguson8668]

Unplugged was the first music I ever loved and the reason I started playing guitar. I even learned how to play from a a bad VHS recording from the original broadcast

[@ericf3277]

Great job! Sounds amazing. I love how you’re able to get the tones so close using the gear you have.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! 😊

[@hisparussky]

Wooooooooooooooooooow.. I didn't believe my ears when you started to play About a Girl.. Dude.. amaaaaaaaazing job. Thanks for the info!!!

[@JTDguitarworld]

This is the best tone I’ve ever heard 🤘🏼

[@mtthsgrr]

this is the most impressive thing I've seen, congratulations humble king

[@stickyfin5338]

dude. the unplugged version of “about a girl” is what got into nirvana. i legitimately got chills when i heard how close this sounded to the album, that was awesome!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much 😊 I still can't believe it myself! When I have my headphones on and have the levels set just right for the mic and amp, hearing that tone is a rush

[@sam1mellor]

Fantastic content. Your ear is off the chain. Brilliant

[@mirata7748]

Beautiful tone recreation! Pennyroyal tea is spot on along with man who sold the world and those sparkly high notes really shine which is so reminiscent of the unplugged show, it just sounds unbelievably good. You blew it out of the water with this one, and I am really impressed that you achieved this tone with just a few mods. The guitar also looks amazing and suprisingly close to the d18e, Im also really happy with those knobs! They are a small addition but they show great attention to detail. Another well crafted video, absolutely nailed that spectacular tone.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

That's really high praise coming from a fellow diehard fan such as yourself! I always appreciate your input and support, thank you as always my friend 🤗

[@ILLUSTRATOR_1127]

Wow it sounded like the real unplugged without the audience. 👌👌👌🤘👍👍👍

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you!

[@SoyIsDumb]

You also used his favorite pick awesome keep rocking man

[@Freedivers]

Thanks so much Eric. Great work!!

[@falloutontherun2191]

Amazing video man love unplugged

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! I love it too 😍

[@user-mj9qu8yb2y]

This is really cool man keep up the good work 👍

[@miszterMhun]

I listened to the Unplugged MTV album many many times so i love it. Your sound is absolutely close to Kurt's. awesome job, thanks for your video!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much!

[@omnimo]

I got chills and goosebumbs!!! Wow!!!

[@CollectorCody73]

Great Work, Man!

[@craven7]

you’re so lucky to have a guitar like that. been looking for one forever

[@mycawild]

Another amazing video and a great way too round off the week ♥

[@NirvanaGuitars]

So happy to hear that 😊 Thank you!

[@antocaravano]

What job! really compliments, really fantastic.

[@Roman-li8zy]

Dude. Nailed it. I've listened to that album a few times a week for 30 years and that sounds REALLY similar. Binary high five to you good sir.

[@amandahammond2691]

This is amazing! I have heard so many conflicting reports about the amp on-stage and just how it was used, but this video definitely demonstrates the truth! It sounds almost identical.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much!

[@guitarFAIL]

thank you so much for this bro. nailed it ! cheers

[@maltemaltehansen]

Wow the come as you are tone is really spot on

[@chickensoupisapoopieface]

I don't think I've ever clicked on a video so fast! I have the copycat Stafford SF-S1E model with the four knobs, and love it! Eventually want to get a bartolini for it

[@gurgul2364]

Amazing job man. Congratulations on the tone.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@joeycredible]

I've been listening to that album for 30 years and this is the most authentic. I've heard the sound. Keep it going.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you so much! That really means a lot 🙏

[@GeckoGamer-sk8rv]

I’m here early but Yes finally! So awesome dude.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! And thanks for your patience 😃

[@JACOBHIMSELF]

I love how you played the man who sold the world and included the mistake he made

[@707_sucks]

love this

[@goodgulfgas]

HAHA! I'm drumming along on my desk! I bought this album the morning it was released. I cut school to be at a downtown Boston Strawberries at North Station that I knew opened early, at like 8:30 or 9 am. I remember the excitement and anticipation of waiting for the store to open and seeing Nirvana Unplugged on the shelf.

[@danthegeetarman]

Wow. Nailed it man. Very cool

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@WatermelonSharky]

your tones are always good!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much as always!

[@thrillvilled111]

Love these tones man! You absolutely nailed it. 💐 Makes you wonder what all the other Nirvana songs sound like with an acoustic take. LIke Breed and Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! Will definitely be doing a "what if" video with this tone, playing songs that weren't played at Unplugged 😃 RFUS is a very interesting choice!!

[@thrillvilled111]

@@NirvanaGuitars It will will be such a cool experiment to see what if Kurt wanted to retake all Nirvana songs with an acoustic guitar and release an acoustic album compilation with all the tracks whilst capturing the style and feel of the songs but defiantly it's an awesome idea. 🎸

[@LoganCantCreate2]

This is pretty much perfect, I love these videos and I’d love to see a north shore surf club tone recreation

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! That'd be a challenging one to recreate but I'm up to trying it

[@LoganCantCreate2]

@@NirvanaGuitars cool man

[@makarovperunat9359]

I don’t listen to Nirvana but i still watch all your videos because they’re so well done

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you so much!

[@GreenSET24Rus]

Чувак! Я просто горжусь такими как ты! Удачи тебе во Всём! Я начал слушать Курта в 95 и сам научился играть на гитаре. Очень всё гармонично!

[@Silverfan97]

Love your vids bro!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! Love and appreciate your support 😀

[@Silverfan97]

@@NirvanaGuitars np brotha!

[@samsschool3639]

Dude, I didin't know the missing component for me was the fact that the guitar itself was miked! thank you so much for all your time and effort!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

It was like the big missing piece of the puzzle! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@marcelofernandez308]

This are the kind of videos that deserve instant like before you watch!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

You’re too kind 🙏🏻

[@guitargearconnection]

Another great video!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much!

[@itstcj]

holy crap i love the tone on the man who sold the world, it sounds exactly like it !!!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@gregm3295]

Congrats on your hard work! I try to always replicate these songs. This was so Frickin good! Gives me ideas! Thanks

[@flawless1979]

Wow! this is unbelievable.

[@douglasvaughn9349]

Incredible video. Thank you 🙏

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you for watching!

[@blindsphynx5834]

Thank for This!

[@feihong8274]

Very informative.well done!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@Amuseddaysleeper]

On A Plain was amazing, well done!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@SmellyKuk]

really great vid as always, I generally don't understand how you do it. Every single tone video you've made has been nearly one to one with Kurt

[@NirvanaGuitars]

That really means so much to me, can't thank you enough! As to how I do it, there's no cool secret or anything tbh. I put my headphones on, play what I am trying to replicate on loop and then try out every combination of guitar + pedal I think might be able to replicate it. Once I find the magic combo, I obsessively turn knobs in tiny increments until I feel like I can't get any closer. If anyone watched me do it they would probably think I'm insane 😂

[@SmellyKuk]

@@NirvanaGuitars lol I'm just as obsessive over making everything as accurate as I possibly can

[@neroloupsolitare8075]

Simply amazing,

[@alfgamer3615]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for ever since you announced your sigma

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Was going to do this one first, but then I got sucked into the history video and went overboard on that one lol 😅

[@ad9ack82]

I think the sound of Pennyroyal tea, for me, was the most accurate. Awesome!

[@crabcakes5346]

Son, this is the most accurate recreation of any album that I've ever fucking heard. bravo, just fucking bravo man

[@NirvanaGuitars]

😭 Damn that made my day, can't thank you enough 🙏

[@lmaoooooo749]

Speaking of "Something in the Way" you could maybe do a tone recreation of the studio version. I've heard that the same guitar was also used for "Polly" too. But besides that, you've done an amazing job recreating Unplugged! Keep up the good work!

[@muschrum2428]

Amazing job dude, it sounds weird hearing his guitar in the unplugged due being replicated because I’ve only ever heard it in the show

[@qwert7497]

Keep it up with this type of content

[@NirvanaGuitars]

As long people enjoy watching it, I'll keep making it 😃

[@nirvanalover-hc8il]

This is amazing! i wish i had the skill and money to do all of this, also good video.

[@nateperez478]

That man who sold the world tone and distortion sold me. Good stuff! Keep on being you

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!! Really sorry the video is choppy there, KZbin's copyright police came after me for that one 😔 full uninterrupted cover is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXm0mqWmbMhmfdU

[@nateperez478]

@@NirvanaGuitars it’s that spot on 💀

[@SadBoiM]

congrats on the guitar you are very lucky to own such a beautiful piece of wood ❤️

[@NASUMASU]

Ive been watching your videos for over a year now

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow!! Can't thank you enough for the continued support 🙏

[@HERETICSCAR]

Next best think would get the same logo on the headstock but it looks so good I love your tones and you have inspired me to want to own one of these😊❤

[@alexromero9298]

Wow! Such an impressive job, please please do some tutorials on the songs

[@ArcadeMusicTribute]

Wow that sounds really interesting. I used to own an acustic guitar and I would just use 2 microphones to record it. The sound was pretty cool, but I like this metalic tone that is added by the pickup and amp. So interesting. I usually reached a similar effect by recording acoustic guitars and then overlaying them by clean guitar that was playing the same thing as the acustic. This sounds even better imo. I actually owned this Fender Amp way back in the 90s. I really regret giving it away.

[@TheAdrian2882]

Mission accomplished!!

[@adrixnx_xx]

I hope one day to have a collection like yours, very good video brother ❤

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! The collection has been 10+ years in the making. Also growing and never complete 😉

[@wullowtries3018]

I love this tone you’ve inspired to play guitar more with my beaten up fender Thinline thank you!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

So happy to hear that! Thanks for watching 😀

[@sethcallen-pb4hm]

Great job man keep it up 👍👌

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@rpkett]

Damn dude well done! And screw the haters. Appreciate the dedication and countless research hours and of course for sharing with us!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much! It's the awesome and kind supporters like you that keep me going 😃

[@shadowedge729]

this is amazing! it sounds identical to the album

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Can't thank you enough 😃

[@nkf8164]

Amazing

[@RadioheadLiveChile]

awesome!

[@mezdrums]

Spot on! ❤

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much!

[@aeterna5]

amazing!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you!

[@hartatiksutedjo-ge1mt]

Thanks for sharing ..