Distorted Tone

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana

Bassrock1990s

Original Gear

BassGibson Ripper

AmpAmpeg SVT-200T

PickupsDual humbuckers, out-of-phase (neck + bridge)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6

presence5.5

compression2.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, Nevermind album, 1991

Tone Character(9)

mid-heavy punchgritty upper midstight low endslightly compressedaggressive pick attackclear note definitionraw, unpolished edgepresent in mixnot overly scooped

Difficulty

The bass line is straightforward, mostly root notes with a driving pick attack. The main challenge is maintaining consistent energy and articulation in the aggressive, distorted mix.

Sources

Smells Like Teen Spirit Bass Tone Settings — Nirvana | ToneMirror

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