Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 V4
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 V4, select the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 7, Reverb 0, ISF 7, Effect type 0, Effect level 0, Power reduction 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gear4music LA Electric Guitar · updated 2026-10-19
- Preset / mode
- Super Crunch
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- ISF
- 7
- Effect type
- 0
- Effect level
- 0
- Power reduction
- 1
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for tight and punchy rhythms.
- Focus on dynamic strumming to enhance the percussive attack.
- Experiment with picking harder on the strings for a more abrasive sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 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 ID:Core Stereo 20 V4 for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Start from the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 7, Reverb 0, ISF 7, Effect type 0, Effect level 0, Power reduction 1.
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 Gear4music LA Electric Guitar. 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 ID:Core Stereo 20 V4
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Wonderwall · Oasis
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
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.