Positive Grid Spark 40 settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Positive Grid Spark 40
Nirvana · adapted 12 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Positive Grid Spark 40, set Gain 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Mod 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-22
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Positive Grid Spark 40 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Mod
- 0
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for power chords.
- Focus on tight, percussive strumming to capture the grunge sound.
- Experiment with dynamics, playing softer in verses and hitting harder in the chorus.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112VM · updated 2026-09-19
- Preset / mode
- Fender Clean
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Positive Grid Spark 40 knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Delay
- 5
- Mod
- 7
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a high level for a watery, modulated effect.
- Engage reverb moderately to add depth to the clean tone.
- Pick dynamically to enhance the articulate response of the tone.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Positive Grid Spark 40 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 are the best Positive Grid Spark 40 settings for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Set Gain 7, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Mod 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?
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 Positive Grid Spark 40
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.