HeadRush Pedalboard settings
Lithium settings for HeadRush Pedalboard
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a HeadRush Pedalboard, use the 59 TWEED BASS amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Custom 24-08 · updated 2026-11-05
- Amp model
- 59 TWEED BASS
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x10 Tweed Cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1fuzzTRI FUZZGain 8 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbBLACKPANEL SPRING REVERBMix 2 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
- 4compressionDYN III COMPLevel 6 · Ratio 4 · Attack 3 · Release 5 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a tighter sound.
- Dig in with your pick for a more aggressive attack.
- Experiment with dynamics to emphasize certain notes.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush Pedalboard 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 amp model should I use on the HeadRush Pedalboard for Lithium?
Use the 59 TWEED BASS (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5, followed by TRI FUZZ, BLACKPANEL SPRING REVERB, Noise Gate, DYN III COMP.
Which pickup should I use for Lithium?
Neck 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 PRS SE Custom 24-08. 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 HeadRush Pedalboard
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.