Marshall CODE 25 settings
Lithium settings for Marshall CODE 25
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall CODE 25, select the Plexi preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 6, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-09-22
- Preset / mode
- Plexi
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall CODE 25 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
- Mod depth
- 0
- Mod adjust
- 0
- Delay level
- 0
- Delay adjust
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to 1 for a subtle ambiance.
- Keep the gain at 7 to maintain the punchy, saturated riff tone.
- Play with a strong attack to emphasize the fuzz and thump in the sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall CODE 25 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 Marshall CODE 25 for Lithium?
Start from the Plexi preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5, Presence 6, 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?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Telecaster. 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 Marshall CODE 25
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.