Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Laney LH50
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Laney LH50 with a tagima tagima sixmart. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — iconic main riff / heavy chorus tone
Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB) / 1969 Mustang, Boss DS-1, Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp clean channel, Crown Power Base 2, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
02Electro-Harmonix Small Clone
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (for clean verse tone)
Because you don't own a DS-1, use the Laney LH50's Drive channel with gain pushed to 8 to supply the heavy grunge saturation directly. The LH50 is British-voiced and inherently mid-heavy, so cut mids to 4 and raise treble to 7 with presence at 6 to replicate the scooped, biting attack of Kurt's Mesa/DS-1 combination. Clean verse: switch to the LH50 Clean channel and roll guitar volume to 7.
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These settings are for a Laney LH50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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