Fender Mustang I (V2) settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Fender Mustang I (V2)
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Fender Mustang I (V2), select the British '80s (Marshall JCM 800) preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Exit button 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA · updated 2026-09-20
- Preset / mode
- British '80s (Marshall JCM 800)
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Fender Mustang I (V2) knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Exit button
- 1
- Save button
- 0
- Tap tempo button
- 0
- Modulation select
- 0
- Delay reverb select
- 0
Playing tips
- Use palm muting to achieve a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on aggressive strumming for power chords.
- Experiment with dynamics to emphasize the rawness of the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang I (V2) 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 Fender Mustang I (V2) for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Start from the British '80s (Marshall JCM 800) preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Exit button 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 Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA. 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 Fender Mustang I (V2)
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Purgatory Silverstar · Djo
- Robot Voices · twenty one pilots
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Message Man · twenty one pilots
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
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.