Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Fender Blues Junior IV
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Fender Blues Junior IV with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — main distorted riff/chorus
Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker) -> Boss DS-1 Distortion -> Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp (Clean Rhythm) -> Crown Power Base 2 -> Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 4 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; with the pedal, switch Fat switch off and drop amp gain to 2
Because you lack the Boss DS-1, engage the Blues Jr FAT switch and push the preamp gain to 9 to squeeze the maximum crunch out of the EL84 power section. The Blues Jr's high treble shelf requires pulling treble down to 5 and setting your Strat's tone knob to 8 to soften single-coil icepick compared to Cobain's bridge humbucker. Clean verse: turn off the FAT switch and roll guitar volume down to 4.
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These settings are for a Fender Blues Junior IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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