Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — RJ Basic AMPLIFIER
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a RJ Basic AMPLIFIER with a RJ Skykaster. Studio version, Nevermind (1991)
Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker, Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel clean) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers, Boss DS-1 Distortion (Tone: 4, Level: 10, Distortion: 7), Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Master | 6 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is essential; Cobain used the amp clean and the DS-1 as his 'dirty channel'. Without it, this tone is not reachable.
The RJ Basic is an unrecognized small practice amp, so presence and reverb are set to null as these knobs may not exist. Cobain's original rig ran the Mesa clean with all distortion from the Boss DS-1 — your amp cannot produce this saturation alone, so a DS-1 (or clone like the Donner Morpher) is mandatory. Mid pushed to 7 to compensate for likely scooped voicing on budget solid-state amps; bass dropped to 4 to keep the small speaker from getting muddy.
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These settings are for a RJ Basic AMPLIFIER. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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