lead guitar from “smells like teen spirit” by nirvana | ToneDB
smells like teen spirit
nirvana
lead guitar
95% ai confidence
Tone Profile
A raw, high-gain, and distinctly chorused lead tone with a biting attack and a slightly scooped midrange, iconic of early 90s grunge.
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Mustang (e.g., 1969 Competition model, modified with a bridge humbucker like a Seymour Duncan JB) or Fender Jaguar
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp (into a Crown DC300A Series II power amp)
Microphone: Shure SM57 or Sennheiser MD 421
Processing: Boss DS-1 Distortion, Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus
Other: Signal from power amp to Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinets (loaded with Celestion G12M Greenback or Vintage 30 speakers). For the solo, the Small Clone chorus is engaged and placed after the DS-1. Mic placed close to the speaker grille, slightly off-center of the cone.
Recording Notes
- Recorded at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California, produced and engineered by Butch Vig.
- The lead guitar solo prominently features the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus, contributing to its signature 'watery' texture.
- The primary distortion for the solo comes from a Boss DS-1 pedal, likely with the distortion knob set high and tone around 10-11 o'clock.
- Kurt Cobain's main dirty amp setup for 'Nevermind' involved a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp.
- While rhythm parts were often double or quad-tracked for thickness, the solo is a distinct melodic lead line.
Recreation Tips
- Use a guitar equipped with a bridge humbucker for sufficient output, sustain, and thickness.
- Place the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus pedal *after* the Boss DS-1 distortion pedal in your signal chain.
- For the Boss DS-1: Set Distortion near maximum, Tone control around 10-11 o'clock, and Level to unity gain or a slight boost.
- For the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone: Set the Depth switch to the 'up' position (deeper chorus) and adjust the Rate knob to a moderate speed (e.g., around 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock) to taste.
- If using an amp modeler, choose a Mesa/Boogie Mark series model (similar to the Studio Preamp) and pair it with a Marshall 4x12 cabinet impulse response (IR) featuring Celestion Vintage 30 or G12M Greenback speakers.
- Don't over-scoop the midrange on your amp; the DS-1 pedal naturally imparts a somewhat mid-scooped character.
- Experiment with aggressive picking for the attack, but maintain melodic articulation for the solo lines.
Recommended Gear
- Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar(Guitar)
- Fender Mustang (vintage or Vintera/Player series)(Guitar)
- Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker(Pickup)
- Boss DS-1 Distortion(Pedal)
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Analog Chorus(Pedal)
- Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (vintage or amp model)(Preamp)
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+/IV (amp or modeler)(Amp)
- Crown DC300A Series II (or similar clean solid-state power amp)(Amp)
- Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cabinet(Cabinet)
- Celestion G12M Greenback(Speaker)
- Celestion Vintage 30(Speaker)
- Shure SM57(Microphone)