Vox AC15 settings
Lithium settings for Vox AC15
Nirvana · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Vox AC15, set Gain 6, Bass 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1, Tone cut 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul Custom · updated 2026-08-13
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7 · Volume 8-9
Vox AC15 knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 1
- Tone cut
- 6
- Tremolo depth
- 0
- Tremolo speed
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level to add some space to the sound.
- Ensure the tone cut is set to 6 to help tame the high-end fizz from the fuzz.
- Play with a strong attack to emphasize the punchy, saturated character of the riff.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox AC15 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 Vox AC15 settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 6, Bass 5, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 1, Tone cut 6.
Which pickup should I use for Lithium?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7 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 Custom. 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 Vox AC15
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Creep · Radiohead
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
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.