Line 6 Catalyst settings
Lithium settings for Line 6 Catalyst
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Line 6 Catalyst, select the Badonk preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-06-03
- Preset / mode
- Badonk
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Catalyst knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
- Boost
- 0
- Noise gate
- 0
- Power attenuation
- 3
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to replicate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Play with a moderate attack to maintain the punchy, saturated sound characteristic of the riff.
- Experiment with palm muting to emphasize the thumping, darker sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Catalyst 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 Line 6 Catalyst for Lithium?
Start from the Badonk preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 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?
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 Line 6 Catalyst
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
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.