Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Blackstar Id:core 10 v4
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Blackstar Id:core 10 v4 with a Squier Stratocascer sonic. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — main distorted riff
Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker, Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel, clean setting) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers, Boss DS-1 Distortion (Tone: 4, Level: 10, Distortion: 7)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is essential for the Cobain tone; the amp's OD channel approximates it but lacks the DS-1's characteristic gritty upper-mid bite. Without it, use OD1 with settings above.
Cobain's original tone came from a DS-1 into a clean amp, not amp gain. The ID:Core's OD1 voice is the closest approximation — it's tighter and less scooped than OD2. Your Squier Sonic's single-coil bridge pickup is brighter and lower output than Cobain's JB humbucker, so mid stays strong at 6 (no cut), treble drops from 7 to 6, and tone knob rolls to 8 to tame the ice-pick. Bass reduced to 5 because the 10W speaker can't handle the low-end thump of a 4x12.
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These settings are for a Blackstar Id:core 10 v4. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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