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Smells Like Teen Spirit on a Fender Mustang LT25

Nirvana

Written for the Mustang LT25 as Fender's owner's manual describes it: 20 amp models and four effect slots.

Smells Like Teen Spirit Fender Mustang LT25 settings: a starting point

On a Fender Mustang LT25, select the BASSMAN amp model and start at Gain 4, Treble 6, Bass 6 and Middle 4, with the bridge pickup. That is the setting for the loud choruses; the one for the quiet verses is below.

BASSMAN amp modelSmells Like Teen Spirit on the LT25
  • Gain 4
  • Treble 6
  • Bass 6
  • Middle 4

Gain sits two steps under the song's generic 6 because ROCK DIRT in front does part of the work. Middle is set from the encoder.

Values as the display shows them, 0 to 10 with one decimal. These are Tonelify's starting points for the LT25, written from the documented rig and Fender's manual. They are not Fender's numbers and not the settings on the record.

Same amp family as the record

Which Fender Mustang LT25 amp model for Smells Like Teen Spirit?

BASSMAN. Butch Vig used Mesa/Boogie, Fender Bassman and Vox AC30 amps across Nevermind, and the loud parts are a Boss DS-1 in front. Fender's list has two of those three: BASSMAN, based on the '59 Bassman, and 60S UK CLN, inspired by the AC30. Start on BASSMAN and let a distortion effect do the pedal's job.

60S UK CLN, Fender's AC30, is the other amp from the album that the list has.

Pick the amp model with the encoder first, then set the knobs. The LT25 has knobs for Gain, Volume, Treble, Bass and Master Volume, and no Middle knob. Fender's manual says Middle is set only from the encoder: press it on the amp model, scroll to MIDDLE and turn.

Fender Mustang LT25 effects for Smells Like Teen Spirit

STOMP
ROCK DIRTThe distortion pedal on the loud choruses. Fender describes ROCK DIRT as inspired by the Pro Co RAT.Start with its controls near the middle.
REV
SMALL ROOMA little room, as in the starting point.LEVEL around 2.

Each preset has four effect slots, STOMP, MOD, DELAY and REV, and each slot holds one effect. Fender's manual gives the signal path as instrument, stompbox, modulation, amplifier, delay, reverb, speaker. To fill a slot, press the encoder on it and turn to the effect.

Second sound

Smells Like Teen Spirit on the LT25: the quiet verses

The verses are quiet, with the guitar through a Small Clone chorus pedal, and the choruses are big and loud, with the chords double-tracked. For the quiet verses, select BASSMAN and start at Gain 2, Treble 6, Bass 6 and Middle 4.

BASSMAN amp modelSmells Like Teen Spirit, the quiet verses
  • Gain 2
  • Treble 6
  • Bass 6
  • Middle 4
STOMP
NoneThe verses are the cleaner sound, with no distortion pedal.Empty the slot.
MOD
CHORUSThe Small Clone chorus on the quiet verses.The MOD slot holds one effect.
REV
SMALL ROOMA little more room on the quiet part.LEVEL around 3.

Save the verse sound and the chorus sound as two presets. An optional footswitch moves between two presets you choose, which is the change the song makes at every chorus.

Does it sound off on your Mustang LT25?

Pick what you hear. You get the knobs to turn on the LT25 from the settings above, and how far.

What the LT25 cannot do for Smells Like Teen Spirit

The LT25 has no model of the Boss DS-1, so ROCK DIRT is a stand-in from a different pedal. The chorus chords on the record are also double-tracked, so one guitar sounds smaller than the record however it is set.

How to store it on the LT25

Press SAVE once it sounds right. Fender's manual says an unsaved edit reverts when you leave the preset or switch the amp off. Master Volume is not stored in a preset.

What Nirvana used on Smells Like Teen Spirit

Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang or Jaguar, with an Electro-Harmonix Small Clone on the quiet parts and a Boss DS-1 on the loud ones, through the Mesa/Boogie, Fender Bassman and Vox AC30 amps Butch Vig used across Nevermind, with the chorus chords double-tracked.

Rig sources: Wikipedia: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Guitar.com: the gear Kurt Cobain used on Nevermind

Fender Mustang LT25 facts checked against Fender's own documents on : Fender: Mustang LT25 owner's manual (PDF), Fender: Mustang LT25 quick start guide (PDF)

Nirvana's rig and the generic five-knob settings for the Smells Like Teen Spirit tone →

A different guitar, or pedals in front?

This page sets the LT25 on its own. Name your guitar and your pedals and Tonelify rewrites the settings for that whole rig, pickup position included. Your first match is free with an account, and needs no card.

Match Smells Like Teen Spirit to my rig

Smells Like Teen Spirit on the LT25: questions

What Fender Mustang LT25 settings do you need for Smells Like Teen Spirit?

Select the BASSMAN amp model and start at Gain 4, Treble 6, Bass 6 and Middle 4. These are Tonelify's starting points for the LT25, written from the documented rig and Fender's manual. They are not Fender's numbers and not the settings on the record.

Which Fender Mustang LT25 amp model is closest to the amp on Smells Like Teen Spirit?

BASSMAN. Butch Vig used Mesa/Boogie, Fender Bassman and Vox AC30 amps across Nevermind, and the loud parts are a Boss DS-1 in front. Fender's list has two of those three: BASSMAN, based on the '59 Bassman, and 60S UK CLN, inspired by the AC30. Start on BASSMAN and let a distortion effect do the pedal's job. 60S UK CLN, Fender's AC30, is the other amp from the album that the list has.

Which Fender Mustang LT25 effects does Smells Like Teen Spirit use?

STOMP: ROCK DIRT. The distortion pedal on the loud choruses. Fender describes ROCK DIRT as inspired by the Pro Co RAT. REV: SMALL ROOM. A little room, as in the starting point.

Does Smells Like Teen Spirit need two sounds on a Fender Mustang LT25?

Yes. The verses are quiet, with the guitar through a Small Clone chorus pedal, and the choruses are big and loud, with the chords double-tracked. For the quiet verses, select BASSMAN and start at Gain 2, Treble 6, Bass 6 and Middle 4. Save the verse sound and the chorus sound as two presets. An optional footswitch moves between two presets you choose, which is the change the song makes at every chorus.

What can the LT25 not do for Smells Like Teen Spirit?

The LT25 has no model of the Boss DS-1, so ROCK DIRT is a stand-in from a different pedal. The chorus chords on the record are also double-tracked, so one guitar sounds smaller than the record however it is set.

How do you set Middle for Smells Like Teen Spirit on a Mustang LT25?

From the encoder. Press it to open the preset, press it again on the amp model, scroll to MIDDLE, press, turn to 4 and press SAVE. The LT25 has no Middle knob, and Fender's manual says this is the only way to adjust it.

Is there a Smells Like Teen Spirit preset for the Fender Mustang LT25?

Fender's manual lists the LT25's 30 factory presets and none is named after this song. Build it by hand from the settings on this page, then press SAVE and choose SAVE AS to keep it under the song's name. SAVE AS replaces whatever is in the slot you pick, so choose one you do not need.

What if you have a different guitar or pedals in front of the LT25?

These settings assume the unit on its own. Tonelify's matcher rewrites them for the guitar, pedals and amp you name, pickup position included. Your first match is free with an account and needs no card.

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