Solo Tone

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely Japanese, black, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)

AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp into Crown Power Base 2 power amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinets

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB Model SH-4 (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus

Notes

Studio recording, 1991, Nevermind album. Clean tone sections (verses) used the amp's clean channel with pedals for modulation. The solo section is not fully clean but is less distorted than the main riff; however, the user requested the cleanest solo tone. Effects chain included chorus pedal. Pickup selection is inferred from typical Cobain setup for clean/chorus parts.

Tone Character(10)

watery and modulatedclear and glassybright and articulateslightly compresseddynamic and responsiveshimmering chorus effectnot harsh or brittlefull-bodied cleanstudio-polisheddistinct modulation swirl

Difficulty

The solo is straightforward, closely following the vocal melody with basic picking and no advanced techniques, making it accessible for most players.

Sources

Kurt Cobain's guitar tone on Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit Kurt Cobain's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard The definitive Kurt Cobain guitar gear guide - Guitar World

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account