Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40 settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40, set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Bright 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Player II Telecaster HH · updated 2026-11-14
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Bright
- 1
- Distortion
- 7
- Chorus depth
- 0
- Chorus speed
- 0
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for tight, percussive power chords.
- Focus on a strong attack to emphasize the raw, saturated tone.
- Experiment with dynamics; play some parts softer to contrast with heavier sections.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Roland Jazz Chorus JC-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 Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40 settings for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Bright 1.
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 Fender Player II Telecaster HH. 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 Roland Jazz Chorus JC-40
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Nothing Else Matters · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
- ก็เคยสัญญา · Asanee & Wasan
- Black Hole Sun · Soundgarden
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.