Line 6 HX Stomp settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Line 6 HX Stomp
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Line 6 HX Stomp, use the Cali Rectifire (Mesa Rectifier) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-19
- Amp model
- Cali Rectifire (Mesa Rectifier)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 3
Effects chain
- 1distortionVermin DistTone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Strum with a strong attack to emphasize the raw, saturated power chords.
- Experiment with dynamic picking to create a distinct attack in the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 HX Stomp 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 Line 6 HX Stomp for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the Cali Rectifire (Mesa Rectifier) (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3, followed by Vermin Dist, Noise 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 Line 6 HX Stomp
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
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.