Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Fender Champion 100
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 100 with a Squier Bullet Stratocaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — iconic main riff and chorus distortion
Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker), Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm clean), Crown Power Base 2, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab, Boss DS-1 Distortion, Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; with this pedal, switch to Channel 1 clean and drop gain to 2
Because you lack the Boss DS-1, Channel 2 on the 'Metal' voice supplies the aggressive saturation and compression directly from the amp. The Squier's bridge single coil is thinner and brighter than Kurt's JB humbucker, so roll the guitar tone knob back to 8 and keep amp bass at 6 to add body. If you acquire a DS-1, run it into Channel 1 Clean and let the pedal provide the distortion.
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These settings are for a Fender Champion 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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