Fender Mustang LT40S settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Fender Mustang LT40S
Nirvana · adapted 15 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Fender Mustang LT40S, select the CLASSIC ROCK preset, then set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 012 · updated 2026-10-26
- Preset / mode
- CLASSIC ROCK
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Fender Mustang LT40S knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for tight, percussive chords.
- Attack the strings aggressively for a raw sound.
- Keep your picking hand close to the bridge for a sharper attack.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang LT40S 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 LT40S for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Start from the CLASSIC ROCK preset, then set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 0.
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 Yamaha Pacifica 012. 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 LT40S
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
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.