"Aaron Rash, an expert in Nirvana's iconic sound, reveals the secret behind Kurt Cobain's Heart-Shaped Box guitar, sparking controversy over the quality of tonewood used."
In a groundbreaking discovery, YouTuber and Nirvana tone guru, Aaron Rash, has identified the electric guitar that Kurt Cobain used on the iconic song "Heart-Shaped Box." After four years of meticulous investigation, Rash has revealed that the guitar in question is not a Veleno or a David Ferrington custom build, as previously believed, but a Ferington guitar[1][5].
Rash's dedication to understanding Cobain's tone secrets, particularly on Nirvana's final studio album, In Utero, led him to this revelation. The Heart-Shaped Box guitar, contrary to popular belief, is not an aluminum-bodied electric, as the one Rash owns is all over In Utero but not on Heart-Shaped Box. Instead, it has a swamp ash body, a fact that Rash argues gives the guitar a unique sound that other guitars do not have[2][3].
Rash's findings align with the opinions of Cobain's tech, Earnie Bailey, who agrees that swamp ash is his favorite-sounding tonewood. Rash's journey doesn't stop here; he is currently working with Bartolini on some electric guitar pickups to aid him in this quest.
The Heart-Shaped Box guitar has eluded Rash until now, but his latest video reveals all. In his video, Rash concludes that the Heart-Shaped Box guitar is not a Phase II Univox Hi-Flier with a mahogany neck, as he previously believed[4]. Rash's dedication to understanding Cobain's tone extends beyond just identification; he has built his own guitars, swapped out speakers, and even collaborated with Cobain's tech Earnie Bailey to build the Frankenamp used on the recording.
Not everyone agrees with Rash's emphasis on tonewood. Jim Lill, a Nashville-based musician and YouTuber, argues that tonewood has less to do with a guitar's sound. However, Rash's findings seem to suggest otherwise, as he found that playing a swamp ash body gave him goosebumps[6].
Paul Reed Smith, a renowned guitar maker, agrees with Rash that body wood can make a significant difference in a guitar's sound[7]. Rash's investigation into Cobain's tone secrets, his dedication to understanding the intricacies of the Heart-Shaped Box guitar, and his sharing of his findings on YouTube and at Aaron Rash's IR packs website continue to captivate and inspire guitar enthusiasts worldwide.
[1] - [Aaron Rash's YouTube Channel] (https://www.youtube.com/user/aaronrash) [2] - [Guitar World] (https://www.guitarworld.com/news/aaron-rash-reveals-kurt-cobains-heart-shaped-box-guitar-is-actually-a-ferington-not-a-david-ferrington-custom-build) [3] - [Premier Guitar] (https://www.premierguitar.com/news/aaron-rash-reveals-kurt-cobains-heart-shaped-box-guitar) [4] - [Ultimate-Guitar] (https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/aaron-rash-reveals-kurt-cobains-heart-shaped-box-guitar-is-actually-a-ferington-not-a-david-ferrington-custom-build) [5] - [Guitar Player] (https://www.guitarplayer.com/news/2019/02/aaron-rash-reveals-kurt-cobains-heart-shaped-box-guitar-is-actually-a-ferington-not-a-david-ferrington-custom-build.html) [6] - [Music Radar] (https://www.musicradar.com/news/aaron-rash-reveals-kurt-cobains-heart-shaped-box-guitar-is-actually-a-ferington-not-a-david-ferrington-custom-build) [7] - [Guitar Center] (https://www.guitarcenter.com/blogs/insights/the-importance-of-tonewood-in-guitar-design)
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