Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Boston GA - 15R
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Boston GA - 15R with a Cort X-6. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — main distorted riff sections
Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker, Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel, set clean) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet, Boss DS-1 Distortion (Tone: 4, Level: 10, Distortion: 7), Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus (verses/solo only)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is essential; Cobain's amp was set clean and all distortion came from the DS-1. Without it, the tone is unreachable.
The Boston GA-15R is a small solid-state practice amp with limited gain saturation — pushing its gain to 8 gives you some grit but cannot match the DS-1's aggressive clipping character. Cobain's original rig had the amp completely clean with all dirt from the pedal; your amp's gain substitutes partially but will sound thinner and less explosive. Mids cut to 4 (vs original's mid-scooped DS-1 voicing) and treble at 7 recreates the fizzy bite. Reverb must be 0 — the Nevermind riff is bone dry.
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These settings are for a Boston GA - 15R. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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