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Riff Tone

Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live at The Paramount, 1991)

Nirvana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarEarly-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster
AmpMesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) → Crown Power Base 2 power amp → Marshall 1960A/B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers
PickupsSeymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker

Amp Settings

gain5.5
bass4.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb0
presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion

Notes

Live at The Paramount, 1991. Settings and gear confirmed for this live performance. Riff section uses bridge pickup and distortion pedal. Studio and live rigs are similar, but this is the live setup.

Tone Character(10)
raspy and bitingaggressive and percussivetight, focused rhythmslightly scooped low endbright, cutting treblecompressed and saturatedarticulate power chord definitionraw, punk-inspired edgeminimal ambiencedynamic, loud stage presence

Difficulty

The riff is based on power chords and straightforward rhythm, but requires aggressive, consistent strumming and tight palm muting at a medium-fast tempo to match the song's energy.

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live at The Paramount, 1991) settings for your amp

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.

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Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live at The Paramount, 1991) by Nirvana — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt