Boss ME-90 settings
Lithium settings for Boss ME-90
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Boss ME-90, use the Tweed (Fender Bassman) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-21
- Amp model
- Tweed (Fender Bassman)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x10 open back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1fuzzMuff FuzzFuzz 8 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 5 · Decay 4
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a strong picking attack to emphasize the punchy, saturated tone.
- Experiment with palm muting for a thicker, more aggressive sound.
- Consider using a fuzz pedal in conjunction with the multi-FX for added thickness.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss ME-90 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 ME-90 for Lithium?
Use the Tweed (Fender Bassman) (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, followed by Muff Fuzz, Spring, Noise Gate.
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 Boss ME-90
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
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.