Zoom G1X Four settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for Zoom G1X Four
Nirvana · adapted 9 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a Zoom G1X Four, use the BG MK1 (Mesa Boogie Mark I) amp model on the crunch 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
updated 2026-10-20
- Amp model
- BG MK1 (Mesa Boogie Mark I)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- 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 1 (BOSS DS-1)Tone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2reverbRoomMix 2 · Decay 2
- 3noise gateZNRRelease 3 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on aggressive strumming to enhance the rawness of the tone.
- Experiment with dynamics; play harder for more attack and sustain.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Zoom G1X 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 G1X Four for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the BG MK1 (Mesa Boogie Mark I) (crunch channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3, followed by DIST 1 (BOSS DS-1), Room, ZNR.
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 Zoom G1X Four
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · 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.