Smels like teen spirts amp settings — PEAVEY Solo 12
The Nirvana guitar tone for “Smels like teen spirts”, dialed in for a PEAVEY Solo 12 with a AriaPrell STG-series. Studio version, Nevermind (1991) — Sound City Studios, double-tracked rhythm
Mesa Boogie Studio .22 preamp + Fender Bassman + Marshall, Fender Jaguar with bridge humbucker, Boss DS-1, EHX Small Clone
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 3 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 7 |
01Boss DS-1 Distortion
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential for the tone; the Peavey Solo alone cannot produce this saturated grunge character. A DS-1 clone or Behringer OD300 is a cheap substitute.
02EHX Small Clone Chorus
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Used on the clean verse sections only; bypass for the loud choruses. Depth switch on 'shallow' position.
The Peavey Solo 12 is a small solid-state practice amp with limited gain and headroom. Kurt's tone came from a DS-1 into a clean-ish amp platform — the Solo 12's clean channel at low gain replicates this approach. I scooped the mids to 3 to match the grunge character; the Solo 12's mid control is voiced higher than a Mesa, so this scoop is more pronounced. Without a distortion pedal, this tone is unobtainable on your rig.
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These settings are for a PEAVEY Solo 12. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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