Marshall MG10CD settings
Lithium settings for Marshall MG10CD
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall MG10CD, set Gain 7, Contour 5, Clean volume 0, Overdrive gain 6, Overdrive volume 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul · updated 2026-10-13
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG10CD knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Contour
- 5
- Clean volume
- 0
- Overdrive gain
- 6
- Overdrive volume
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a punchy attack on the riff.
- Focus on a strong down-picking technique for consistency.
- Experiment with dynamics to emphasize the thumping sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG10CD 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 MG10CD settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Contour 5, Clean volume 0, Overdrive gain 6, Overdrive volume 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?
These settings were adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul. 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 MG10CD
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Wonderwall · Oasis
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Creep · Radiohead
- Elephant · Tame Impala
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
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.