Fender Blues Junior IV settings
Lithium settings for Fender Blues Junior IV
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Fender Blues Junior IV, set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-06-12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Blues Junior IV knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
- Fat switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to add some depth without overwhelming the fuzz tone.
- Engage the fat switch for a fuller sound that enhances the midrange, which is crucial for the riff's punch.
- Keep your picking attack aggressive to emphasize the thumping nature of the fuzz.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Blues Junior IV 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 Fender Blues Junior IV settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.
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
More Nirvana on the Fender Blues Junior IV
All Nirvana tones →Popular songs on the Fender Blues Junior IV
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crossroads · Cream
- Comfortably Numb · Pink Floyd
- The Thrill is Gone · B.B. King
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Black Hole Sun · Soundgarden
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
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.