Fender Mustang LT40S settings
Lithium settings for Fender Mustang LT40S
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Fender Mustang LT40S, select the BLUES LEAD preset, then set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Telecaster · updated 2026-10-30
- Preset / mode
- BLUES LEAD
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang LT40S knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 1
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Play with a heavy attack on the strings to achieve a punchy sound.
- Experiment with palm muting to emphasize the thumping quality of the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang LT40S 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 preset should I use on the Fender Mustang LT40S for Lithium?
Start from the BLUES LEAD preset, then set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1.
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 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 Fender Mustang LT40S
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
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.