Marshall Code 50 settings
Lithium settings for Marshall Code 50
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall Code 50, set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-28
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall Code 50 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 1
- Cabinet on (1974CX (1x12, G12M-20))
- Power amp on (Vintage Marshall 30W (5881))
- Distortion on (DIS (distortion)) · 7
- Noise gate on
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for subtle ambiance.
- Ensure your picking is aggressive to achieve the punchy, saturated riff tone.
- Experiment with the volume knob on your guitar to find the sweet spot for fuzz saturation.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall Code 50 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 are the best Marshall Code 50 settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.
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 Marshall Code 50
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- 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.