HeadRush Core settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for HeadRush Core
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a HeadRush Core, use the 89 SL-100 CRUNCH (Soldano SLO-100 Crunch) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul · updated 2026-09-05
- Amp model
- 89 SL-100 CRUNCH (Soldano SLO-100 Crunch)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
HeadRush Core knobs
- Gain
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 3
Effects chain
- 1distortionDIST 1 (Boss DS-1)Tone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2reverbSPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb)Mix 2 · Decay 2
- 3noise gateNOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator)Release 5 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Play aggressively to capture the raw energy of the riff.
- Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm to emphasize the punchy chords.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Core 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 amp model should I use on the HeadRush Core for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the 89 SL-100 CRUNCH (Soldano SLO-100 Crunch) (crunch channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3, followed by DIST 1 (Boss DS-1), SPRING REVERB (Fender Spring Reverb), NOISE GATE (ISP Technologies Decimator).
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 Epiphone Les Paul. 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 HeadRush Core
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Creep · Radiohead
- Alive · Pearl Jam
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.