Song Rig
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Kurt Cobain · Nevermind · 1991
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The guitar tone that defined the grunge era. Cobain ran a Boss DS-2 into a Fender Twin Reverb with the reverb on the amp turned fully up — the result is a scooped, chunky distortion with a diffuse, cavernous quality from the spring reverb swamping the distorted signal. The intro riff used the guitar's volume knob at about 7 to keep it clean, then full volume for the chorus crunch.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Mustang (Competition series)
- 2Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
- 3Boss DS-1 Distortion
- 4Fender Twin Reverb
Amp Settings
The scooped midrange is central to the Nevermind guitar sound — Cobain deliberately cut the mids to create the "loud-quiet-loud" contrast. Reverb on the amp adds spaciousness to the distorted signal.
Technique
How to Play It
The loud-quiet-loud dynamic that Cobain borrowed from the Pixies is the defining technique — verse riff at low volume, chorus at full, creates an emotional impact impossible to achieve by simply turning a gain knob.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any guitar into a Boss DS-1 or DS-2 into a Fender Twin with the reverb on. Cut the mids on both the pedal and the amp. The guitar volume technique for the intro is essential.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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