Tone library / Nirvana / Smells Like Teen Spirit

Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Marshall Code 50

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Yamaha Revstar RSS20. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — iconic main riff / heavy chorus tone

Original rig

Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker), Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp clean channel into Crown Power Base 2, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cab, Boss DS-1 Distortion, EHX Small Clone

Aggressive, abrasive high-gain grunge crunch with biting upper-mids and scooped low-mids

Amp settings — Marshall Code 50

CHANNELAmerican Clean (Preamp) + Classic Marshall 100W (Power) + 1960V (Cab) with onboard Guv'nor / Distortion Stomp blockBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	6
Mid	4
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Code Onboard Distortion (Guv'nor/Dist block)

Engaged in the pre-FX stomp section to replicate Cobain's maxed Boss DS-1 running into a clean preamp

Drive 9 · Tone 7 · Level 8

02Code Onboard Chorus

Bypassed for the main riff/chorus; engage for the clean verse sound

Depth 7 · Speed 3 · Mix 6

Why these settings

Because Kurt ran a maxed Boss DS-1 into a pristine Mesa clean platform, we use the Marshall Code's American Clean model paired with the onboard distortion block maxed out rather than relying solely on amp overdrive. The Yamaha Revstar's VH5 bridge humbucker matches the hot output of Kurt's Duncan JB well, but keep the Focus switch pushed down/disengaged to retain sharp upper-mid bite. Clean verse: bypass the onboard distortion block and engage the onboard chorus block.

PRO TIPHit the muted four-stroke rake transitions between chord changes aggressively across all six strings near the bridge with a medium-heavy pick to nail the percussive 'chug-chug' transient.

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These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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