HeadRush Prime settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for HeadRush Prime
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a HeadRush Prime, use the 82 LEAD 800 100W amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-07-10
- Amp model
- 82 LEAD 800 100W
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- Marshall 1960B 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 3
Effects chain
- 1distortionBlackOp DistortionTone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2reverbBlackpanel Spring ReverbMix 2 · Decay 2
- 3noise gateDefault GateRelease 3 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on dynamic strumming to capture the raw energy of the riff.
- Experiment with different picking techniques to find the right attack.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Prime 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 Prime for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the 82 LEAD 800 100W (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3, followed by BlackOp Distortion, Blackpanel Spring Reverb, Default Gate.
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?
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 Prime
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- What If · Creed
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Comfortably Numb · Pink Floyd
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.