Marshall MG15R settings
Lithium settings for Marshall MG15R
Nirvana · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Marshall MG15R, set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Telecaster · updated 2026-09-30
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall MG15R knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use the dirty channel for a thicker, punchier sound.
- Set your amp's reverb to a low level to add some depth without overwhelming the fuzz.
- Dial in the tone knob on your guitar to around 7-8 for a darker, fuller sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall MG15R 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 MG15R settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5.
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 Telecaster. 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 MG15R
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
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.