Krist Novoselic’s Bass Gear: Exploring the Nirvana Bass Guitar Sound

Krist Novoselic, the bassist for the iconic grunge band Nirvana, crafted a distinctive and powerful bass sound that was integral to the band’s raw and influential music. Far from being just background noise, Novoselic’s bass lines provided a crucial rhythmic and harmonic foundation for Nirvana’s groundbreaking tracks. This guide delves into the equipment Krist Novoselic used to achieve his signature Nirvana Bass Guitar tone, offering a detailed look at the instruments, amplifiers, and effects that shaped his sound throughout Nirvana’s legendary career. Drawing on insights from Nirvana’s guitar technician, Earnest Bailey, we explore the gear that powered the low end of Nirvana’s sonic assault.

Strings

Krist Novoselic relied on Rotosound Bass Strings, specifically the RS66 Long Scale, Standard Gauge. These strings are known for their bright, punchy tone and durability, which perfectly complemented Novoselic’s energetic and often aggressive playing style. Rotosound strings are a popular choice among rock bassists for their reliability and consistent sound, making them a fitting choice for the demands of Nirvana’s live performances and studio recordings.

Guitars

Novoselic’s arsenal of nirvana bass guitars was quite diverse, reflecting his evolving sound and the different eras of Nirvana. He was not tied to a single instrument, but rather explored a range of basses to achieve the desired sonic textures for each album and performance.

Ibanez Bass Guitars

• Ibanez Roadster: Early in his career, Krist was seen with an Ibanez Roadster bass. While details about its specific usage are scarce, this marked his initial foray into using Ibanez instruments.
• Ibanez Black Eagle 2609B: Perhaps one of his most recognizable basses, Krist owned 3-4 Ibanez Black Eagle 2609B basses. One was modified with a rosewood neck, showcasing his willingness to customize his instruments. These basses were workhorses throughout Nirvana’s touring years. A Black Eagle can be prominently seen in the “Sliver” video and in footage used for the “In Bloom” Sub Pop video. His original Black Eagle is even on display at the Experience Music Project/Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle, highlighting its iconic status.

Gibson Bass Guitars

• Gibson Victory: A less fortunate Gibson Victory bass met its end on the first night of the Bleach “God’s Balls” tour in Newcastle upon Tyne, famously smashed on stage at the Riverside venue. This exemplifies the raw energy and instrument destruction often associated with Nirvana’s early performances.

• Gibson Ripper: Krist possessed at least two Gibson Ripper basses in Ebony and Natural finishes, and another in Sunburst. The Gibson Ripper in Sunburst is notably featured in the “Come As You Are” video. An Ebony Ripper can be spotted in some “In Bloom” footage, and infamously, one also struck Krist in the face at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, a moment that became part of MTV history.

• Gibson RD Artist: Novoselic toured extensively with two Gibson RD Artist basses in Ebony finish. These basses, known for their powerful sound and sustain, were clearly favored for live performances.

• Gibson Thunderbird IV: Krist owned two Gibson Thunderbird IV basses, one in Vintage Sunburst and another in Ebony. He modified the Ebony Thunderbird to chrome hardware and later gifted it to Matt Lukin of Mudhoney in 1994, showing a connection to the Seattle grunge scene.

• Gibson RD Standard: A Gibson RD Standard in Ebony was given to Krist as a Christmas present and used during festival shows in Brazil.

• Gibson EB-2: For the In Utero tour, Krist also utilized a 1960s Pelham Blue Gibson EB-2 bass. This vintage hollow-body bass offered a warmer, more resonant tone, adding another dimension to his sound palette.

• Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar: While primarily known for electric bass, Krist also played a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar in Cherry Sunburst during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance. He used this acoustic guitar for the Meat Puppets numbers, demonstrating his versatility.

Fender Bass Guitars

• ’62 Fender Precision Bass: In a notable instance, Krist borrowed a ’62 Fender Precision Bass from Kurt Danielson of TAD and played it at the Kennel Club.
• Fender Precision Bass: Another Fender Precision Bass was played and then smashed at the Kennel Club, suggesting he may have acquired another Precision Bass, possibly for the purpose of on-stage destruction.

Other Bass Guitars

• Unknown P/J Bass: At a show at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, Krist played an unidentified P/J bass, lent to him by Bruce Gordon of Rocktopus. This highlights the sometimes impromptu nature of gear acquisition on tour.
• ’60s Japanese Zen-On: Famously seen in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, the ’60s Japanese Zen-On bass is a budget-friendly instrument. It was likely acquired quickly in Los Angeles for the video shoot, possibly from a pawnshop. These Japanese-made guitars were often rebranded (potentially as Silvertone), and its expendability likely made it suitable for the video’s destructive ending.
• Warwick Dolphin: During a performance in Holland for 2 Meter Sessie, Krist played a Warwick Dolphin bass. This was a studio-provided instrument as Nirvana’s own gear was in transit for a later concert.
• Ampeg AEB-1: For the “In Bloom” video, aiming for a mid-60s British Invasion aesthetic, Krist used an Ampeg AEB-1. This bass was borrowed from Earnest Bailey, who had played it in the early 80s, to achieve the desired vintage look and sound.
• Guild B30E Semi-Acoustic Bass: For the MTV Unplugged session, Krist used a rented Guild B30E semi-acoustic bass from S.I.R. in New York. He did not own an “unplugged” bass himself, opting for a rental for this special performance.

Effects

Krist Novoselic’s effects usage was relatively straightforward, focusing on distortion to enhance the aggressive edge of his nirvana bass guitar sound.

• MXR Distortion+: Early in Nirvana’s career, during the Bleach era, Krist employed the MXR Distortion+. This pedal provided a raw, gritty distortion suitable for their early sound.
• ProCo Rat Distortion: The ProCo Rat Distortion became Krist’s distortion pedal of choice. The Rat is known for its versatile distortion, ranging from overdrive to fuzz-like tones, and became a key component of his signature sound.
• Boss DS-1: Occasionally in late 1992, Krist used Kurt Cobain’s old Boss DS-1 pedals after Kurt switched to the Boss DS-2. However, for later tours, Krist requested the return of the ProCo Rat, indicating his preference for its sound.

Amplification

Novoselic’s amplification evolved from simpler setups to more complex rigs as Nirvana’s fame grew. His amp choices were crucial in shaping the powerful low-end that defined the nirvana bass guitar sound.

• Laney Pro Bass amp: During the Bleach era, Krist utilized a Laney Pro Bass amp. Laney amps are known for their solid-state power and were a practical choice for early touring.

• Fender BXR Dual Bass 400: Before acquiring the Ampeg SVT 400T, Krist used a Fender BXR Dual Bass 400. It’s believed he started using it around the time of “Sliver” or earlier. While it later became a backup amp, it played a role in his sound development.

• Ampeg SVT 400T: The Ampeg SVT 400T amplifier appeared around early 1991 and became a central part of his rig. It is highly likely that he used the SVT 400T for recording Nevermind. His SVT 400T was stock, with potential modifications only to the input jacks for durability, and it remained in use until the more complex HiWatt setup was implemented.

• HiWatt Custom 100 watt: The HiWatt Custom 100 watt saga is somewhat complex. Krist acquired his first HiWatt from a Seattle pawnshop for $300. It was modified by Andy Marshall at THD Electronics, who upgraded the preamp line out and modified it for KT-90 tubes. A Groove Tubes speaker emulator was used to run the entire amp through power amps and into Boogie & Marshall cabinets. Interestingly, the preamp line out sound was favored over the KT-90 output section, meaning the HiWatt was often used without fully utilizing its power amp stage, except for specific instances like the Crocodile Cafe show and the In Utero recording. For In Utero, the HiWatts and a 1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead (converted to 6550 tubes) were used. Andy Marshall of THD Electronics revealed that Krist sought to replicate the bass sound of Kurt Danielson from TAD, which involved a similar HiWatt setup modified for KT-90 tubes and further tweaked for attack and bottom-end response.

• Gallien Krueger 800RB: On the In Utero tour, Krist used a Gallien Krueger 800RB. The 800RB is a popular solid-state bass amp known for its clean power and punch.

• Crest 4801 Power Amp: Borrowed from Kurt Cobain’s rig, a Crest 4801 Power Amp was also part of the In Utero setup, likely used in conjunction with the HiWatt and Marshall amps.

• Marshall Plexi 100 with 6550s: A Marshall Plexi 100 (modified with 6550 tubes) was utilized for the In Utero demo sessions at Reciprocal and the 1994 Robert Lang Studios session.

Speaker Cabinets

Krist’s speaker cabinets evolved alongside his amplification choices:

• Peavey 2×15: (Bleach era) – Simple and likely robust for early touring.
• 4 Marshall 4x12s, 2 Mesa/Boogie Road Ready 4x10s, and 2 Mesa/Boogie Road Ready 2x15s: (Nevermind era) – A larger, more complex setup reflecting the band’s growing stage presence and sonic requirements.
• Numerous Ampeg SVT enclosures: (In Utero era) – The use of Ampeg SVT enclosures, known for their massive sound, aligned with the heavier and more aggressive sound of the In Utero album.

Other

• Dobren accordion: For Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance, Krist played a Dobren accordion. This instrument, belonging to Kurt Cobain, added a unique and unexpected element to the unplugged set, showcasing the band’s willingness to experiment beyond their typical rock instrumentation.

In conclusion, Krist Novoselic’s nirvana bass guitar sound was crafted through a diverse range of instruments and amplification, reflecting his adaptability and quest for sonic exploration. From early Ibanez and Laney setups to the iconic Gibson Ripper and HiWatt rigs, his gear choices played a crucial role in shaping the powerful and influential sound of Nirvana. His willingness to experiment and utilize both affordable and high-end equipment underscores the organic and evolving nature of his nirvana bass guitar tone, a sound that continues to inspire bassists and musicians worldwide.