The Sound of Kurt Cobain's Custom Guitar: Fender Jag-Stang Nirvana Tone | Amp & Pedal Settings

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Just realizing I completely misspoke at 4:02 about my Jag-Stang’s neck pickup 🙃 it’s a Fender Texas Special bridge pickup just like Kurt’s, not Seymour Duncan!

[@AlStevini]

It's fine, 😅

[@WayneMalloy-g7v]

@@NirvanaGuitars i’m at work, but I wish I was home playing my Jag-Stang #U023327 !!!!

[@Minty_ArcusYT]

having that mesa boogie pedal has a *much* noticeable similarity than your previous tone recreation ever since you got one, keep up the great work!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

The Mesa pedal has made a world of difference!! I put out a video with this Jag-Stang's tone like 2 years ago when I first completed the mods, but it sounds soooo much better with the EQ pedal that I had to put out an updated Jag-Stang tone video!

[@Minty_ArcusYT]

@NirvanaGuitars yeah! I hope we can see more recreation with that pedal in the future as well!

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

That "wrong" note that's played toward the end of the solo of Teen Spirit fucks hard. I assume that's something Cobain chose to do live because it seems like something he'd do, but if not - excellent choice! It tickles my brain in the correct way.

[@Iloveeatingpasta11]

Ikr! I think it was purposeful because you can hear him doing it as early as summer 1991. It definitely works for that part of the solo, gives it kind of a spooky vibe.

[@ARobloxMusician]

A HISTORY VIDEO ABOUT PROTO!!!!! Also that 5 band pedal really makes a difference! I love these type of videos so much! Keep up the great work Eric! Also I hate it when people spread false rumors about either kurt's pedals or guitars.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I've been meaning to make a full on history video about the Jag-Stang, but there's soooo much to the full story that that research has been taking me a while 😵‍💫 But yes, the Mesa pedal is making a world of difference!! I had to put out an updated Jag-Stang tone video with it. Thank you so much for the continued support my friend!

[@maddoxgittman]

​@@NirvanaGuitarsI wouldn't be mad if you make an hour long video about the jag-stang, I would watch it like 20 times

[@ARobloxMusician]

@maddoxgittman i would do it aswell.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Also - Fun Fact: In addition to Kurt, the Jag-Stang also features in the story of another guitar legend - Issac Brock of Modest Mouse, in the wee years of MM, Brock got his hands on a Jag-Stang with a trem system. It's with that guitar that he started using the space behind the bridge as a lever (instead of the whammy bar) to make dramatic pitch-bending noises which, coupled with open harmonics, have been a prominent feature of Brock's guitar playing to the present day. Looking at the Jag-Stang bridge, you can see he'd have just enough space to really crack on that sucker back and forth and make the "wee-woo" noises.

[@707_sucks]

HEY!! I LOVE MODEST MOUSE TOO!!

[@benjipc5637]

The dudes from Korn also use a similar technique with their guitars with Ibanez Edge bridges (which are just Floyd Roses). Their signature guitars have a "U bar" instead of the typical tremolo arm.

[@stab180]

Great tone recreation, it's almost as if I'm watching Kurt play all these riffs at a soundcheck!!! Keep it up, dude, I love your videos!

[@MasonsFavs7]

6:05 Kurt and Pat’s tone together sounds incredible and very VERY accurate to the In Utero tones again, amazing job dude!!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much! I think it's so overlooked how much Pat added to their overall sound on the In Utero tour, hoping that quick side by side section of this video helps illustrate that 😃

[@That_Nirvana_Kid]

I have always loved the Jag Stang. It’s such a beautiful guitar and I also love the in utero tour sound of his shows. You did a great job re-creating him! I love your channel you’ve been The reason I started playing guitar. Love it dude!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and that is an honor to hear! Once you pick up a guitar, you'll never want to put it down 😉

[@coolstew871]

The best part about Fridays! Thank you for your dedication and for your willingness to invite us into your enthusiasm!

[@BillBaileyRecords]

Hey man, I've watched your videos for a while and I just wanted to say you are starting to hit your stride and your tone was speaking the truth. I'm a punk rock guitarist out of Delaware .As well as being a big fan of NIRVANA your tone is there and it really is a beautiful thing. Thanks for doing the channel

[@JacobiDuffin]

What an accurate tone keep it up love the vids

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much!

[@UnklePecos]

Congrats you copied one of the worst guitar tones of all time. How about getting your own sound?

[@Silverfan97]

Nice vid dude I love this era!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

The best Nirvana era if you ask me 😉 Thank you for watching!

[@Silverfan97]

@@NirvanaGuitars very true!

[@kurtsgear]

I love when kurt looks so happy about the Jag-Stang ❤😊

[@HowlinAndyDE]

Yeah same. He looks like a kid that sees his presents on Christmas Day :D

[@PulseXP-yo8wu]

The Jagstang is pretty neat. A cool guitar that doesnt deserve the hate it gets.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I 100% agree!

[@interpic]

I like his soft tone, especially in the clean part of Drain You, usually guitars in the bridge position sound bright, bold and powerful, which is difficult to say about Jag Stang

[@icalexander]

stumbled on your videos recently and just been soaking it all in. Your tones are bang on. I can close my eyes and it's like it's Kurt sitting in my living room playing a concert. That said you're severely tempting me to buy a used Mustang that's on my local FB MP and then mod it to Kurt's specs.

[@ShiroiTengu]

Holy crap. With every video you do, you're coming closer and closer to sounding just like Kurt. This one in particular is spot on

[@Aaron_Luiken]

Only thing we talk about is the tone, but that playing is on point. Keep up the amazing work, lots of love ❤

[@NirvanaGuitars]

thank you so much! 🙏

[@cameronunderwood2717]

I got a Jagstang about a month ago as a early Christmas present from my wife (she found it used for $600. It was played twice and the owner before just kept it in the case in his closet) and I absolutely love it. I play it everyday and really love the feel of the neck and the sounds you can get out of it

[@NirvanaGuitars]

What an amazing present and deal that your wife found!! Congrats on the new Jag-Stang, they are amazing guitars 🎸

[@cameronunderwood2717]

@@NirvanaGuitars thanks bro! Like you said in your video I don’t know why these guitars get so much hate. They play and feel amazing

[@pretzel_4580]

I remember watching your first proto type jag-stang video and after watching it, it made me wanna get a jag-stang and make Nirvana covers and tone videos as well! Thank you Eric!!!

[@TF2Rookie]

The only guy with an impressive collection and interesting set of guitars.

[@mikeryan2838]

I dont think there's another song with a weirder verse than Radio Friendly Unit Shifter? I've never been able to figure it out. Thanks for showing this!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

The crazy alien sounds of Radio Friendly Unit Shifter make for the best set opener 🎸

[@borod6825]

Amazing video as always! I believe it's the best version of sappy ever played, the live solo is so great. Still to this day can't get it precisely accurate.

[@thrillvilled111]

Been a while but nice to see and here the Jagstang again! 😊

[@joshualounsbury1790]

Spot on i think with the tones and sounds! Glad i found your channel 😊

[@PolloenCubos]

Kurts tone double sounds,... wow! Thanks for the video mate! salutes from Chile!

[@Garbageguitarist]

That mesa pedal is insanely accurate to Kurt’s tone love it and the jagstang is 1:1 with the prototype always loved the look of them keep it up!

[@mateosjc420]

this guitar definitely is underrated as you said. would've been amazing to see Kurt's jag-stang used more, but i feel it already has enough history and meaning thanks to this video!

[@bjmarchives]

I think that I had once read (no sources) Kurt mentioning he didn’t like how the prototype played or had some complaints and said he wanted them to redo it. But maybe the issues were addressed by his tech and he started to really enjoy it in the line up. If Kurt didn’t like it, I highly doubt he would have played it as much as he was.

[@justinlareau2227]

I read some where he wanted relief cuts like a strat added for your playing arm and to make it more comfortable against your body. To my knowledge those were the changes he wanted but passed away before he could have fender add them. Before the proto he had he sent others back a couple times with notes on them to get the shape better.

[@AeroZeppelinn]

Great video as always! You should do a video about Kurt’s Kay Archtop guitar from the Come as You Are music video

[@WayneMalloy-g7v]

Cant wait to try these settings! Reminds me of live & loud.

[@Guitarcovers-hp3ro]

Yet another great video mate! I've always loved the Jagstang and it was my dream guitar for years until my mate sold me his.What guitar tuning are you using?

[@mrNobody100]

i went from not liking the jagstang for the longest time to fucking buying one this last summer. it's fucking awesome. i also thought about modding out the pots or something, but i think as of now it's fine stock. go jagstang!

[@PünkĦead]

The Jag-Stang Sounds Awesome

[@ppukumberoze1435]

Wow, such a niche corner of the tone, yet covered so precisely. YOU'RE AWESOME DUDE

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much! Kurt's Jag-Stang deserves more love, happy to shine a light on it in this video 😃

[@job2k6]

I noticed you play some different chords on the Pat guitar parts and if I listen close I can hear where it diverges a bit, like on the third chord in drain you. Sounds pretty nice.

[@thrillvilled111]

It's because Pat would play the whole cords which added more sound to Kurt's tone

[@guilhermeribeiro1576]

Omg, that tone is AWESOME

[@JessLlewellyn]

Trying to get my hands on that mesa eq pedal but no luck 😢. Great video brother!

[@SolidTryThough]

Can we all just take a second to acknowledge how amazing Fender was at the time for building this guitar for Kurt. If they had taken even a few months later to build that thing who knows if it would have ever happend. Kurt was one of a kind. He deserved that guitar.

[@MrEndersrules]

Omg man, you are the best😎🤘 your videos mean so much to all of us and we all cannot express how much your videos help us/entertain us. Kurt would probably be super impressed with all of your research and dedication you put into your videos. Love you man, keep rocking hard🔥🤘😎

[@NirvanaGuitars]

That really means more than I can say, thank you so so much for the support and kind words 🥹 🙏

[@junimaband]

Incredible work. 🎸

[@DesiredH]

That Mesa EQ pedal has made your recreation so much more accurate! And I can’t lie,I forgot the Jagstang existed 😅 It’s a cool guitar,it’s the only guitar other than the signature Jaguar that deserves to have Kurt’s name attached to it,i’m just not a massive fan of the body shape 😔

[@GRUDGEDGuitars]

Amazing video 🎸🙏🏽

[@bootitup6927]

Ok, so I’ve always thought sky stang was a jag stang… now I know. Lovely video as usual!

[@Slipknotfan2012]

Great video mate keep it up 👍

[@RageWire-d4p]

Oh my god!!! Amazing video you got the tone like 100%!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Wow thank you so much! 🙏

[@RageWire-d4p]

@NirvanaGuitars No problem!!

[@tiredcitizenz1925]

That clean tone is absolutely spot on

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! I've always loved the Jag-Stang's cleans on Rape Me, he seems to have used that guitar for that song a lot on the European 94 tour

[@tiredcitizenz1925]

​@@NirvanaGuitarsI can 100% see why he would use a lot for Rape Me it sounds incredible. I wish I had that good of a clean tone 😂

[@Batman_Dc27]

You should make more videos with the epiphone ET 270 An in bloom smart sessions tone recreation would be cool

[@somethingelsedoesmatter]

Man, it sucks so hard that we were robbed of another Nirvana album with Kurt and Pat playing together.

[@jodyreynolds81]

I absolutely loved the jag-stang I tried one the first time they were released and fell in love but could never afford one to be honest it's one of my biggest regrets not getting one but having said that only thing I couldn't get over is how small it felt

[@fogpumas]

3:00 sounds just like him!

[@MichaelTheMusicMan27]

Hey Eric! It’s Michael! I’m just on my other account! I’m at school so I can’t watch but I bet it’s cool! You’re the best Eric!!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you so much as always for the support Michael, I don't take it for granted 😃 Hope you have a great day at school!

[@MichaelTheMusicMan27]

@@NirvanaGuitarsThanks Eric!

[@nirvanacover2212]

Interesting vidéo bro 🤘

[@Alfred12343]

This guy really got me into guitar gear

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Honored to hear that! Welcome to the rabbit hole 🐇

[@Alfred12343]

@@NirvanaGuitarsthanks 😂

[@baskah]

That Rape Me tone from the Italy show is favorite. I like it more than Skystang tone. That Mesa EQ pedal is gold for people without the Mesa amp!

[@robinlundenius7822]

Love the Jag-stang! The short, thin 7.25 neck feels amazing. Only downside is not having the truss rod available by the headstock. I will probably switch out the stock humbucker for a one with a little bit more output tho 👌

[@interpic]

I see the reason for this attitude towards Jag stang is that the potential of this guitar was simply not revealed, judge for yourself: usually if a musician gets his signature instrument, he uses it wherever he can, Kurt puts it on the back burner, preferring his mustang, it was not used so often at concerts, even on Kurt does not part with his mustang at the last concert of the band, there are no studio recordings with him, and too little time has passed because of all the events we know. As a result, Jag Stang remained something strange and misunderstood

[@jbels41]

The chord change at 14:02 for Come as you are - what are you doing there? I am seeing a lot of conflicting things on what those chords are. Any help appreciated!

[@andreiburgheaua7023]

Looking into it too

[@hitkat]

GREAT VIDEO MAN :)

[@egorshamanin]

I used to be as big a fan of Nirvana and Cobain, I transcribed and played everything ever recorded and released by Kurt, and years I've played with three fingers too and it ended up really huge hindering me professionally later on, I had to re-learn to playing more right) Very impressed with your guitar and gear collection and so deep dive in sound, respect.

[@chriskoch2465]

I love my 96 jagstang and will keep it, sounds amazing

[@hankyharry]

NirvanaGuitars makes me happy!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Your comment made me happy! 😃

[@Death-Axe]

Hell yea❤❤ I love the Jag-Stang. I might custom order the body soon.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I personally love the shape! It's like the Mustang's elongated cousin or something haha

[@AJ-vi6eh]

My favorite guitar video!

[@NirvanaGuitars]

That's an honor!! Thank you so much for watching 😃 🙏

[@LaDeVoXD]

I love your covers, they are very cool and in the right tone. But one question, why do you use the ''Pollychorus'' and the ''Eco Flanger'' as different pedals? I heard that the 70's edition has absolutely the same circuit (and gives the same sound), or do you just use them like this to make it sound more similar to the original due to the pedal configurations?

[@benjipc5637]

Have you considered putting a DiMarzio Evolution neck humbucker on the Jagstang's bridge position? Kurt had a prototype DiMarzio humbucker in one of his and while it never made it to production, they have said that the Evolution neck is the closest one to it that's available.

[@travisschuster4676]

I had an original blue 95 jag stang . I played the thing to death. I owned it for 22 years. The tuners were shot. The low e string saddle was totally worn out . The string wouldn’t stay in the saddle anymore. It had patina around the edges. Small dents and dings. I found the guitar to be very quirky. It was my first real guitar that I bought with my money from being a pizza delivery driver. As I got older my hands still grew and it was harder to play on other than just chords. I think the thing the frustrated me the most was that crap ass mustang bridge. I put a Duncan jb in the bridge. The pick up was black. Other than that it was totally stock. With that money that I sold it with I ended up getting the jaguar. Much easier to play my hands weren’t cramped anymore. And no more horrible bridge. But I definitely didn’t hate it. I wrote a lot of songs on jag stang . Like I said I played that thing hard and full throttle all the time. It took over 20 years to wear it out so that’s saying something. I think I bought it with the case for like 700 bucks. I could be wrong that was back in 96. Anyway cool video on this guitar 🎸.

[@justinlareau2227]

I have an original 95' jagstang. Only mod I've done is changed the pick guard to a red tortoiseshell. I got a great deal on it a few years ago. It has a few small dings and scratches and the white plastic is discolored but I think it just adds to the guitars personality. The tone I love. I have thought about doing kurts Bridge mod as well as put in the same pick ups kurt used in his. I likely will someday. As a kid I wanted one of these but was worried it would sound too thin like my strat until I played one and heard how much it rocked.

[@YoungMod3rn]

I remember saving for AGES to buy a Jag-Stang I saw in my local guitar shop. I finally had enough, bought it, took it home and HATED how it played 😅 I sold it barely a few months later. I regret it A LOT now and wish I had been more patient with it.

[@pablochavez8190]

Fucking mint! Great vids as always man!

[@darkplace5032]

Hey Eric! Juat wanna say I love your channel and have been following your nirvana and band related activities since at least 2016 Anyway, where should an eq pedal go in the pedal chain? I plan in getting one of the meaa boogie eq pedals but will be using another cheap 5 band eq ( maybe ill like it just as much and wont switch)

[@ivanvalencia5230]

would you ever do a reading 1992 tone? the sound Kurt gets on negative creep is amazing.. i think it’s also done in another tuning that show

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Yes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZTOmoeofKh9hpI

[@devinlara3222]

Dudeeeeee, you know your shit. I've always loved Kurt's guitar's. I can send a pic of my TOM strat I did myself back In 2007, if you want? I thought I was the only one who thought the TOM strat was cool.🙂

[@franklynchacha803]

why don’t you make a video with the Jagstang and Hagstrom earlier?? They AMAZING together!!

[@ConceptCarMusic]

From my limited experience with a Jag-Stang I'd say it's definitely a guitar designed for those with smaller hands. I borrowed one once during a show after I broke a string on my own Strat and it was a nightmare to play. It belonged to my bandmate who, like Kurt, is of smaller stature whereas I'm 6,2 and I have reasonably large hands. I just couldn't get used to the narrow neck and/or the 24" short scale length and vowed to never play one again. That said, I do think it sounds good and I think the overall design is cool, especially the baby blue colour.

[@MarcosAcedoPalla]

This works perfectly like a tutorial on how to play those songs too!!!

[@RealKurtCobain-MonkeDev]

Always the best lol 😂 could you maybe recreate the Rome 1994 tone

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Thank you! Yes there's definitely plans to cover the Rome 94 tone 🎸

[@Papascon_kechup]

Sup erick hope you doing alright,just wanted to ask if you could do a video of Kurt's Mosrite it would be nice to learn the history of it, Nice video btw!

[@WayneMalloy-g7v]

I say the Jag-Stang is the coolest Kurt guitar. Then the Univox.

[@o8ean]

Will you make a guitar history video on the reading 92 sunburst strat? This is one of my favourite strats and wonder about the specs on it 😊

[@nerdyneedsalife8315]

You brought up Dandy horse, I want to eventually assemble one. I want to make some simple pedals before assembling that though

[@kaydenandrade3138]

God I’m gonna save up and get a mesa boogie pedal

[@franklynchacha803]

you should make a history video on the Jagstang

[@Mougrith]

You have a cool camera, which one do you use? 0:15

[@AshMc1014]

I think the jag is a very interesting guitar

[@MrDenisoyd.]

I had a question, Are the stock jagstang pickups good enough for nirvana tones?

[@rutger51]

Cool, New guitar?❤

[@HonchoPoncho523]

Have you ever thought about doing lessons and posting the videos on youtube? I would love to see those types of videos.

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I have! I have gotten a few requests for lesson videos lately, I think it might be a fun thing to start doing

[@joshualounsbury1790]

Great idea for him

[@mikerobbins4138]

Love this video what year would be the one to get to be closet to Kurt's sound

[@fltremblay381]

Didn't you initially installed a Fender texas special bridge pickup? Or did you recently changed it for an SD texas special?

[@NirvanaGuitars]

Oh wow I completely misspoke there and did not realize it until your comment 🙃 thank you for pointing that, it’s a Fender Texas Special bridge pickup

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

So, after this video I decided to start looking at one to see what they run. On GC, I can get one brand new for under a thousand. And then I got on Reverb. And I found a '97....for $850. And it's town. I think I might be doing a thing today! The screws are rusted on the cover, the chrome is pitted on the control plate. But it adds a certain charm.

[@itsmeerick_18]

jason everman is the everyman of early nirvana

[@NirvanaGuitars]

I don't currently have any Jason Everman guitars to create content with but I gotta say man, your comments have been pure gold 😂 laughed out loud at this one haha!

[@ПростойПарень229]

​@@NirvanaGuitarscan you play these parts on courtney love's telecaster? And tell me how to set the sound, if not, you can write the sound settings in the comments

[@ryanronki8255]

Pls focus also on his Fender Jaguar and where is it now.

[@dri4terfast]

You know what might help with a in utero tone, micing it up instead of running it into a software and use a 4x12 marshall cab from that era but still use the twin like a amp head.

[@lt624]

Hey Eric Great Video! But I was wondering if you can do the MTV unplugged Come As You Are (Rehearsal) Tone. I think he used his Poly Chorus before he swapped it out for his small clone

[@lexicution4044]

Eric, ive meen meaning to ask what set of strings do you use? And do you vary string thickness and such between guitars?

[@NirvanaGuitars]

For my Nirvana guitars I try to stick to era accurate strings! Nevermind era and prior have Dean Markley, In Utero era have GHS Boomers. Offsets have 10-52, everything else has 10-46

[@andy3769]

Eric, could you do a tone recreation for the boss HM-3, like in the You Know You're Right video? Thank you.

[@moosiejuicey]

awesome!!!

[@brandonjackson5865]

I’ve always thought the Jag-Stang looked cooler than the Mustangs or Jaguars. It’s kinda got a Music Man thing going on too . I think a black one with a red tortoise pick guard would be sick . I prefer the smaller Strat headstock on all fenders and I think it would look better with that instead of the big cbs style it would go with the smaller body and narrow waist better in my opinion.

[@tymime]

Count me as the first person to think that the Jag-Stang is kinda meh. I don't think they quite recreated Kurt's photo collage perfectly, which looks slightly better than the real thing imo.

[@ЗлоеЗло-я1ж]

Make a video about Pat's pedalboard