Tone library / Nirvana / Smells Like Teen Spirit

Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Elevation EG-10J

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Elevation EG-10J with a Mushine Minsine MS-170. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — iconic distorted riff/chorus sections

Original rig

Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker → Boss DS-1 Distortion (Tone: 4, Level: 10, Dist: 7) → Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel clean, Treble: 6, Bass: 3, Mid: 8) → Crown Power Base 2 → Marshall 1960B 4x12

Thick, aggressive mid-forward grunge crunch with upper-mid bite and compressed sustain

Amp settings — Elevation EG-10J

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	5
Master	6

Don’t have a Elevation EG-10J? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion (or similar distortion pedal)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential: Cobain's distortion came from the DS-1 into a clean amp, not amp gain. Without it, max the amp gain but expect a thinner, less saturated tone.

Tone 4 · Level 8 · Dist 7

Why these settings

The Elevation EG-10J is an unrecognized small practice amp — knob names on your faceplate may differ; presence/reverb set to null as most 10W practice amps lack these. Original tone used a DS-1 into a clean Mesa preamp; without the pedal, pushing amp gain to 7 gets partial saturation but won't match the compressed, harmonic-rich DS-1 character. Mid pushed to 7 to compensate for typical practice-amp scoop and match Cobain's mid-forward 800Hz bark.

PRO TIPCobain's attack was loose and aggressive — dig in hard with downstrokes on the riff, slightly palm-muting the low E to get that percussive chunk on the main figure.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Elevation EG-10J. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.