Marshall MG15CFX settings
Lithium settings for Marshall MG15CFX
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall MG15CFX, select the OD1 Channel preset, then set Gain 6, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 012 · updated 2026-06-06
- Preset / mode
- OD1 Channel
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG15CFX knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Volume
- 6
- Master
- 5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 1.5
- FX
- 0
- Contour
- 4
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for added depth.
- Keep your picking attack aggressive to enhance the punchy, saturated tone.
- Experiment with palm muting to achieve a thicker sound during the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG15CFX 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 MG15CFX for Lithium?
Start from the OD1 Channel preset, then set Gain 6, Volume 6, Master 5, Bass 6, Mid 5, Treble 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 Yamaha Pacifica 012. 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 MG15CFX
- Creeping Death · Metallica
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Hotel California · Eagles
- R U Mine? · Arctic Monkeys
- Creep · Radiohead
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Sad But True · Metallica
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
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.