Blackstar Core settings
Lithium settings for Blackstar Core
Nirvana · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, select the Classic 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
Adapted for a Ibanez GRX20W · updated 2026-09-27
- Preset / mode
- Classic
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use a strong picking attack to emphasize the punchy, saturated tone.
- Experiment with palm muting to create a thumping effect in the riff.
- Keep the guitar volume high to maintain clarity and sustain in the fuzz.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core 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 Blackstar Core for Lithium?
Start from the Classic 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?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GRX20W. 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 Blackstar Core
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- 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.