Kurt Cobain used two different types of humbucker pickups in his guitars:
- DiMarzio PAF: The DiMarzio PAF is a humbucker pickup that is designed to sound like the original PAF humbucker that was used in Gibson Les Paul guitars in the 1950s. It is known for its warm, full sound and its smooth sustain. Cobain used a DiMarzio PAF in the neck position of his 1965 Fender Jaguar.
- Seymour Duncan JB: The Seymour Duncan JB is a humbucker pickup that is known for its versatility and its ability to produce a wide range of sounds, from clean to distorted. It is a popular choice for guitarists who play a variety of different genres. Cobain used Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers in the bridge position of his Fender Mustang and Stratocaster guitars.
Cobain’s choice of humbuckers played a big role in his signature guitar sound. The DiMarzio PAF in the neck position of his Jaguar gave him a warm, clean sound that was perfect for rhythm playing. The Seymour Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge position of his Mustang and Stratocaster guitars gave him a more aggressive sound that was perfect for lead playing. The combination of these two pickups gave Cobain a wide range of tonal options, which he used to great effect on Nirvana’s albums.
If you are looking to achieve a similar guitar sound to Kurt Cobain, you may want to consider using the same humbuckers that he used. However, it is important to remember that Cobain’s sound was also the result of his playing style and the other gear that he used. Experiment with different humbuckers and gear to find what sounds best to you.
Here are some additional tips for getting a guitar sound similar to Kurt Cobain:
- Use a distortion pedal to achieve a thick, saturated sound.
- Use a Vox amp or a Mesa Boogie amp to get a warm, vintage sound.
- Experiment with different tunings to find what sounds best to you.
- Practice Cobain’s playing style to get a feel for his unique sound.