Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb with a Harley Benton SC-Custom II. Studio version, Nevermind (1991)
Mesa/Boogie Studio preamp + Crown Power Base 2 power amp into Marshall 1960B 4x12, Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, Boss DS-1 Distortion, Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is non-negotiable for this tone; the amp stays clean and the DS-1 IS the distortion. Bypass for verses, engage for chorus/solo.
02Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Depth switch UP (full depth). Always on for verses; stays on or bypassed for chorus depending on preference. A Boss CE-5 or any basic analog chorus substitutes adequately.
The Tone Master Deluxe Reverb is a clean platform amp like Cobain's rig philosophy—he ran his Mesa preamp clean and used the DS-1 for all grit. Your amp has no presence control, so I pushed mids to 7 (vs typical 5) to compensate for the Fender's naturally scooped voicing against the Mesa's mid-forward character. Treble dropped to 5 because the Deluxe Reverb's treble shelf sits higher and brighter than Mesa voicing. Without the DS-1, you cannot get this tone—the amp's job is clean headroom only.
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These settings are for a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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