Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — Marshall DSL20HR
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL20HR with a Harley benton ST-20 SBK. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — iconic main riff and chorus distortion
Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB humbucker) -> Boss DS-1 -> Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp -> Crown Power Base 2 -> Marshall 1960B 4x12
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Boss DS-1
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; with pedal, switch DSL20HR to Classic Gain channel with Gain at 2
Because you own no pedals, the DSL20HR's Ultra Gain channel must deliver the heavy saturation directly instead of running a Boss DS-1 into a clean preamp. The Harley Benton ST-20 single-coil bridge pickup has less output and low-end thump than Cobain's Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, so keep bass at 6 and gain around 7 to compensate for the thinner pickup response. The studio distortion is dry, so keep reverb at zero.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall DSL20HR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
Get ToneAdapt on Google PlaySong, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.