Marshall MG10G settings
Lithium settings for Marshall MG10G
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall MG10G, set Gain 7, Contour 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Bullet Stratocaster HSS · updated 2026-08-18
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG10G knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Contour
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a strong picking attack to emphasize the fuzz character.
- Palm mute the lower strings for a punchier sound during the riff.
- Experiment with dynamics to create a more aggressive feel.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG10G 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 MG10G settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Contour 5.
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 Squier Bullet Stratocaster HSS. 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 MG10G
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Walk · Pantera
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Creep · Radiohead
- 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.