Fender Mustang (V1 Series) settings
Lithium settings for Fender Mustang (V1 Series)
Nirvana · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Fender Mustang (V1 Series), select the '59 Bassman preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1, Tap tempo 0, Mid control 4. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster HSS · updated 2026-10-12
- Preset / mode
- '59 Bassman
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang (V1 Series) knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Mid control
- 4
- Effect level
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 1
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to achieve a punchy, saturated tone.
- Use palm muting during the riff to emphasize the thumping sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang (V1 Series) 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 (V1 Series) for Lithium?
Start from the '59 Bassman preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1, Tap tempo 0, Mid control 4.
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 Stratocaster HSS. 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 Mustang (V1 Series)
All Nirvana tones →Popular songs on the Fender Mustang (V1 Series)
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Man in the Box · Alice in Chains
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
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.