Zoom G1 FOUR settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Zoom G1 FOUR
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Zoom G1 FOUR, use the MS 800 amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 7, 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
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRX70QA · updated 2026-10-19
- Amp model
- MS 800
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 3
Effects chain
- 1distortionDIST PlusTone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2noise gateNoiseGateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting to achieve a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on playing power chords with a strong attack for that grunge feel.
- Experiment with dynamics; play some chords softer and others harder for a more expressive riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Zoom G1 FOUR 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 Zoom G1 FOUR for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the MS 800 (lead channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3, followed by DIST Plus, NoiseGate.
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 Ibanez GIO GRX70QA. 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 Zoom G1 FOUR
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Even Flow · Pearl Jam
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.