Harley Benton HB-20MFX settings
Lithium settings for Harley Benton HB-20MFX
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Harley Benton HB-20MFX, select the Fender Clean preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Reverb 1, Fx 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series · updated 2026-09-28
- Preset / mode
- Fender Clean
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Harley Benton HB-20MFX knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
- Fx
- 5
- Param
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for a subtle spacious feel.
- Experiment with palm muting to add punch to the riff.
- Try playing with a heavier attack to emphasize the fuzz characteristics.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Harley Benton HB-20MFX 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 Harley Benton HB-20MFX for Lithium?
Start from the Fender Clean preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Reverb 1, Fx 5.
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 Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series. 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 Harley Benton HB-20MFX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- The Unforgiven · Metallica
- Seven Nation Army · The White Stripes
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- My Own Summer (Shove It) · Deftones
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.