AmpliTube 5 MAX settings
Lithium settings for AmpliTube 5 MAX
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a AmpliTube 5 MAX, select the Fuzz preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-07-03
- Preset / mode
- Fuzz
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
AmpliTube 5 MAX knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to add some depth to the tone.
- Experiment with palm muting to achieve a punchier sound during the riff.
- Try to maintain a steady strumming pattern to keep the thumping rhythm consistent.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your AmpliTube 5 MAX actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Japanese Stratocaster (likely 1989-1991, black, with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge)
- Amp
- Fender Bassman (studio recording, Nevermind sessions)
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
Different guitar or pedals? Get Lithium adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Nirvana's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the AmpliTube 5 MAX for Lithium?
Start from the Fuzz preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 1.
Which pickup should I use for Lithium?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Nirvana use on Lithium?
Guitar: Fender Japanese Stratocaster (likely 1989-1991, black, with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge). Amp: Fender Bassman (studio recording, Nevermind sessions).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Lithium on other amps
Popular songs on the AmpliTube 5 MAX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.