Lounge Act amp settings — Orange Crush 12

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Lounge Act”, dialed in for a Orange Crush 12 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991)

Original rig

1969 Fender Competition Mustang (bridge single-coil) -> Electro-Harmonix Small Clone -> 1963 Fender Bassman 6G6-B head into Marshall 4x12 with Celestion/Jensen speakers

Gritty, mid-forward grind with subtle chorus movement and raw vintage tube breakup

Amp settings — Orange Crush 12

CHANNELOverdrive mode (Gain pushed)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Electro-Harmonix Small Clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (run direct into amp input)

Rate 4 · Depth Switch 0

Why these settings

The Orange Crush 12's single-channel design relies on balancing Gain and Overdrive controls to simulate the cranked '63 Bassman's natural crunch. Because the Strat bridge single-coil matches the Mustang's thin, cutting output, mids are pushed to 7 to replicate the thick Sound City tracking room tone. An EHX Small Clone is recommended to achieve the signature watery chorus modulation heard on the verse transitions.

PRO TIPPick aggressively near the bridge with medium-heavy downstrokes to get the authentic percussive bite of Kurt's tracking style on the main riff.

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These settings are for a Orange Crush 12. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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