Blackstar Debut 50R settings
Lithium settings for Blackstar Debut 50R
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Blackstar Debut 50R, set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Isf 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-07-21
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Debut 50R knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Isf
- 5
- Power reduction
- 1
- Clean bright switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Play with a strong attack to emphasize the punchy, saturated tone.
- Experiment with palm muting to achieve a heavier sound during the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Debut 50R 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 are the best Blackstar Debut 50R settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Isf 5.
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 Squier Stratocaster. 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 Debut 50R
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
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.