Blackstar BEAM Mini settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Blackstar BEAM Mini
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Blackstar BEAM Mini, select the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 7, Reverb 0, Isf 7. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-11-10
- Preset / mode
- Super Crunch
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Blackstar BEAM Mini knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Isf
- 7
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for tight, percussive attack.
- Strum aggressively to achieve a raw, saturated sound.
- Focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm for the power chords.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar BEAM Mini actually has.
- Guitar
- Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 3
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Smells Like Teen Spirit adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Nirvana's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Blackstar BEAM Mini for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Start from the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 7, Reverb 0, Isf 7.
Which pickup should I use for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Nirvana use on Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Guitar: Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Smells Like Teen Spirit on other amps
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Mustang LT25 · 447
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 10G · 208
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Boss Katana · 186
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 15G · 80
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Champion II 25 · 66
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 61
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Champion 20 · 60
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 20G · 53
Popular songs on the Blackstar BEAM Mini
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- The Thrill is Gone · B.B. King
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.