Marshall MG15CDR settings
Lithium settings for Marshall MG15CDR
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall MG15CDR, set Gain 7, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1, Contour 6, Fdd switch 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG15CDR knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
- Contour
- 6
- Fdd switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 1
Playing tips
- Use the dirty channel for a more compressed and saturated sound.
- Set the contour to 6 for a balanced mid-range that complements the fuzz.
- Engage the FDD switch for a more dynamic response.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG15CDR 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 MG15CDR settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1, Contour 6, Fdd switch 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 Squier Stratocaster. 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 MG15CDR
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Creep · Radiohead
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- My Own Summer (Shove It) · Deftones
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.