Valeton GP-5 settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Valeton GP-5
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Valeton GP-5, use the Mesa Boogie Rectifier 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 2026-11-04
- Amp model
- Mesa Boogie Rectifier
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 closed back
- 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
- 1distortionUS DistortionTone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2reverbRoomMix 2 · Decay 2
- 3noise gateGateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on downstrokes to maintain a raw, driving rhythm.
- Experiment with dynamics to capture the grunge feel—play some parts softer and others harder.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Valeton GP-5 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 Valeton GP-5 for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the Mesa Boogie Rectifier (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 3, followed by US Distortion, Room, 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 Valeton GP-5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Walk · Pantera
- Creep · Radiohead
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
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.