5 Secrets Behind The 'Come As You Are' Guitar Tabs That Make Nirvana's Riff Timeless

Learning the "Come As You Are" guitar tabs is a rite of passage for any aspiring guitarist, especially those drawn to the raw power of the grunge era. As of December 2025, this iconic riff from Nirvana’s seminal album *Nevermind* remains one of the most accessible yet deeply satisfying pieces of music to master, but its simplicity hides several crucial secrets—from the unique tuning to the specific gear—that give the song its signature, haunting sound.

This article provides a deep dive into the exact tablature, the non-standard tuning, and the essential gear required to perfectly replicate the track. We will also uncover the fascinating historical controversy that surrounds the riff, adding a layer of topical authority to your knowledge of this grunge masterpiece.

The Essential Blueprint: Tuning, Riff Tablature, and Chords

Before you even touch the fretboard, you must prepare your instrument. "Come As You Are" is not played in standard E tuning. This single detail is the most common mistake beginners make, resulting in a sound that is fundamentally incorrect.

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The Mandatory Drop D Tuning (DGCFAD)

The entire song is built around the low, resonant foundation of Drop D tuning. This means you only need to change one string from standard tuning (EADGBe): the low E string must be tuned down one whole step to D.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune Down to D
• 5th String (A): Stays A
• 4th String (D): Stays D
• 3rd String (G): Stays G
• 2nd String (B): Stays B
• 1st String (High E): Stays E

This simple change allows for the heavy, one-finger power chords and the deep, ringing quality of the main riff.

The Iconic Main Riff Tablature (Intro & Verse)

Kurt Cobain’s famous riff is played entirely on the A, D, and G strings (the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings). It is a fantastic exercise for beginner guitar players because it focuses on simple, repetitive finger movements.

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The tab below shows the pattern on the D and G strings, which is repeated throughout the intro and verse. The notes are played slowly and deliberately, often with a fingerstyle approach for the clean sound.

 D|-----------------|-----------------| A|-----------------|-----------------| D|-----------------|-----------------| G|-----------------|-----------------| B|-----------------|-----------------| E|-0-0-1-2-2-1-0---|-----------------| 

Note: While many tabs show the riff played across the A and D strings, the core movement is the same: a simple progression that alternates between open strings and fretted notes. The most common tab version for the riff on the D string (4th string) is:

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 [Main Riff - Drop D Tuning] E|----------------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------------------------| G|----------------------------------------------------| D|----------------------------------------------------| A|-----0--0--1--2--2--1--0----------------------------| D|--0-----------------------2--2--0-------------------| 

The Chorus Chord Progression

When the song transitions to the chorus—"Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be"—the tone shifts to a distorted, heavy sound, utilizing simple power chords accessible because of the Drop D tuning. The progression is essentially a two-chord loop: F#m and E.

• F#m Power Chord (or F5): Played at the 4th fret on the low D string (6th string).
• E Power Chord (or E5): Played at the 2nd fret on the low D string (6th string).

The progression is repeated: F#m - E - F#m - E. The simplicity of the chord shapes in Drop D is what gives the chorus its immense power and drive.

The Secret Weapon: Kurt Cobain’s Essential Gear and Tone

To truly capture the authentic sound of "Come As You Are," understanding the gear used by Kurt Cobain is non-negotiable. The song's distinct, watery, and slightly psychedelic sound is not solely a product of the guitar or amplifier; it comes from a specific effects pedal.

The Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus Pedal

The single most important piece of equipment for this song is the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus pedal. This pedal is responsible for the signature "warble" effect heard on the clean intro riff.

The chorus effect works by duplicating the guitar signal, slightly detuning the copy, and adding a small delay, creating a thick, shimmering, and underwater-like texture. For the most accurate tone:

• Rate Knob: Set to a slow or medium speed (often around 10 o'clock).
• Depth Switch: Set to the 'Up' position (for the deeper, more pronounced effect).

This pedal was a staple of Cobain's rig, used extensively on tracks across the *Nevermind* and *In Utero* albums. Without a chorus pedal, the riff will sound dry and lose its iconic character. Other chorus pedals, like the Boss CE-2, can be substituted, but the Small Clone is the classic choice.

Guitar and Amplification

While the chorus pedal is the key to the effect, the underlying tone was typically generated by Cobain's preferred guitars and his simple, powerful amp setup:

• Guitars: Cobain often used a Fender Mustang or a Fender Jaguar, both modified, but any guitar with humbucking or single-coil pickups can work.
• Amplifier: The primary amp used for the recording was a Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp paired with a Crown Power Amp, though live he often used Marshall or Fender cabinets.
• Distortion: For the heavy chorus, he often engaged a distortion/fuzz pedal, such as the Boss DS-1 or the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, to drive the chorus effect into a powerful, gritty sound.

The Controversy: Nirvana and Killing Joke's 'Eighties'

A deeper dive into the history of "Come As You Are" reveals a fascinating, yet unconfirmed, controversy that adds immense topical authority to the song. This is the alleged similarity between the main riff and a track by the English post-punk band Killing Joke.

The Striking Similarity

The riff from "Come As You Are" (1991) bears a noticeable resemblance to the main riff of Killing Joke's song "Eighties" (1984). The rhythm and melodic contour of the two songs are very close, leading to widespread discussion among fans and musicians.

Killing Joke's bassist, Paul Raven, acknowledged the controversy, and the band was reportedly upset by the similarity. While rumors of a lawsuit circulated for years, Killing Joke ultimately decided not to formally file a copyright infringement suit against Nirvana.

Kurt Cobain's Response

Kurt Cobain was reportedly nervous about releasing "Come As You Are" as a single precisely because of the similarity to the Killing Joke song. He feared the public would catch the resemblance, which could have overshadowed the success of *Nevermind*. This anxiety highlights the creative pressures and influences of the Seattle grunge scene.

Despite the controversy, the riff remains a defining moment in the history of Grunge and Alternative Rock. The melodic simplicity, combined with the Drop D tuning and the distinctive chorus pedal, cemented "Come As You Are" as an enduring anthem and a perfect starting point for any guitarist.

Mastering the Timeless Riff: A Summary of Entities

Mastering "Come As You Are" is more than just learning the notes; it’s about understanding the context, the gear, and the technique. By focusing on these key entities, you gain a comprehensive grasp of the song's musical DNA:

• Band: Nirvana (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic)
• Album: *Nevermind* (1991)
• Tuning: Drop D (DGCFAD)
• Key Effect Pedal: Electro-Harmonix Small Clone (Chorus)
• Other Gear: Fender Mustang, Boss DS-1, Mesa/Boogie Preamp
• Controversy: Killing Joke’s "Eighties"
• Musical Style: Grunge, Alternative Rock, Seattle Sound
• Technique: Clean Intro Riff, Distorted Chorus Power Chords (F#m, E)
• Related Songs: "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Lithium," "In Bloom"

With the correct Drop D tuning and the addition of a chorus pedal, you can transform a simple sequence of notes into the powerful, iconic sound that defined a generation.