Boss Katana MKII settings
Lithium settings for Boss Katana MKII
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Boss Katana MKII, set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Reverb 1, Fx 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-10-04
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss Katana MKII knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 1
- Fx
- 0
- Bst
- 0
- Variation
- 1
- Power control
- 2
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Dial in your guitar volume to around 8-9 to maintain clarity and punch.
- Keep your tone knob around 7-8 to achieve a slightly darker, fuller sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss Katana MKII 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 Boss Katana MKII settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Reverb 1, Fx 0.
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 Fender Telecaster. 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 Katana MKII
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Highway to Hell · 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.