Tone library / Nirvana / Smells Like Teen Spirit

Smells Like Teen Spirit amp settings — squier sp-10

The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, dialed in for a squier sp-10 with a Jackson Pro Series Rhoads. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) - Main distorted chorus/riff

Original rig

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

Raw, aggressive pedal-driven grunge distortion with tight low-end and bite

Amp settings — squier sp-10

CHANNELClean channel (Overdrive switch OFF)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	5
Treble	6
Master	6

Don’t have a squier sp-10? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Tone 4 · Level 8 · Dist 8

Why these settings

The Squier SP-10 faceplate features only Volume, Treble, Bass, and an Overdrive push-button (no mid control, presence, or gain knob). Because Kurt's heavy distortion comes entirely from a DS-1 slamming a clean preamp, engage the clean channel on the SP-10 with low volume/gain, and add a dedicated distortion pedal. Pushing the SP-10's built-in OD button creates a fizzy, muddy solid-state clipping rather than the punchy hard-clipping dynamics of the record.

PRO TIPHit all four power chords aggressively with heavy downstrokes near the bridge, and mute sharply with your fretting palm during the syncopated percussive scratch chugs between chord changes.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a squier sp-10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the squier sp-10

Kickstart My HeartMötley Crüe AfterlifeAvenged sevenfold

Find your amp

Browse

squier sp-10 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Smells Like Teen Spirit on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Nirvana tonesALL SONGS Jackson Pro Series Rhoads tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.