Fender Mustang (V2 Series) settings
Lithium settings for Fender Mustang (V2 Series)
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Fender Mustang (V2 Series), select the '59 Bassman preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1.5, 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 Classic Vibe '70s HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-06
- Preset / mode
- '59 Bassman
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang (V2 Series) knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Mid control
- 4
- Effect level
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Keep the guitar volume at 8-9 for a fuller sound.
- Focus on palm muting for a punchy, saturated riff tone.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang (V2 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 (V2 Series) for Lithium?
Start from the '59 Bassman preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Treble 5, Reverb 1.5, 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 Classic Vibe '70s HSS Stratocaster. 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 (V2 Series)
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Creep · Radiohead
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
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.