GuitarDistortedRiff
Smells Like Teen Spirit Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB (SH-4) bridge humbucker
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Seymour Duncan JB humbucker)
Studio recording, 1991 Nevermind sessions. Riff section used Stratocaster with JB humbucker, not Mustang or Jaguar. Amp was set clean; distortion from Boss DS-1 pedal. Chorus effect not used in riff, only in verses and solo.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
Fender Stratocaster (bridge JB humbucker) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp → Crown Power Base 2 → Marshall 4x12 cabinets
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Tone Character
- aggressive and saturated
- tight and percussive
- mid-forward punch
- cutting, articulate attack
- raw, grungy texture
- minimal ambience
- clear note separation
- dynamic, loud playing
- dry, in-your-face sound