Tone library / Nirvana / Smells Like Teen Spirit

Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — NUX Stageman II AC-80

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a NUX Stageman II AC-80 with a Sqoe SEST250 stratocaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — Main Riff & Chorus

Original rig

Fender Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker) -> Boss DS-1 -> Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) -> Crown Power Base 2 -> Marshall 1960B 4x12

Aggressive, scooped-grunge saturation with sharp pick bite and explosive low-end crunch

Amp settings — NUX Stageman II AC-80

CHANNELChannel 1 (Guitar Input)

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

Don’t have a NUX Stageman II AC-80? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Tone 5 · Level 7 · Dist 8

Why these settings

The Stageman II is a full-range acoustic amplifier designed for clean headroom rather than tube preamp saturation, so its onboard controls alone cannot recreate Cobain's explosive high-gain chorus. Keep Channel 1 EQ relatively flat with a slight mid dip (4) and rolled-off treble (5) to soften harsh acoustic piezo-voicing, and push channel gain to 6 for clean output without clipping. Adding a Boss DS-1 in front is mandatory to bridge the gap; once acquired, set the amp channel totally clean and let the pedal generate the entire distortion. Clean verse: play gently with guitar volume rolled back to 7.

PRO TIPHit the muted 16th-note percussive chugs between chords aggressively with the edge of a medium-heavy pick right near the bridge, letting the pick scrape generate that dry, rhythmic clatter.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a NUX Stageman II AC-80. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, 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.