Kurt Cobain used a variety of different pickups throughout his career, but the most famous are the DiMarzio PAF and Super Distortion humbuckers in his 1965 Fender Jaguar. He also used Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers in his other guitars, such as his Fender Mustang and Stratocaster.
Here is a more detailed look at the pickups that Kurt Cobain used:
- DiMarzio PAF (neck): 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.
- DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge): The DiMarzio Super Distortion is a humbucker pickup that is designed to have a high output and a very aggressive sound. It is popular among metal and hard rock guitarists, but it can also be used for other genres, such as blues and rock.
- Seymour Duncan JB (bridge): 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’s choice of pickups 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 Super Distortion in the bridge position 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 pickups 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 pickups and gear to find what sounds best to you.
