Boss GT-1000 settings
Lithium settings for Boss GT-1000
Nirvana · adapted 10 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Boss GT-1000, use the TWEED COMBO (Fender Bassman 4x10 Combo) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5. Use the neck + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-11-10
- Amp model
- TWEED COMBO (Fender Bassman 4x10 Combo)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x10 cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1fuzzMUFF FUZZ (Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi)Fuzz 8 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSPRINGMix 2 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateNOISE SUPPRESSORRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a punchier sound.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to emphasize the riff's attack.
- Try to maintain a steady rhythm to capture the driving force of the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GT-1000 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 amp model should I use on the Boss GT-1000 for Lithium?
Use the TWEED COMBO (Fender Bassman 4x10 Combo) (crunch channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, followed by MUFF FUZZ (Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi), SPRING, NOISE SUPPRESSOR.
Which pickup should I use for Lithium?
Neck + Middle, 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 Boss GT-1000
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.