Vox AC30 settings
Lithium settings for Vox AC30
Nirvana · adapted 6 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Vox AC30, set Gain 7, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Tone cut 4, Reverb tone 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone SG Standard · updated 2026-11-12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox AC30 knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 1.5
- Tone cut
- 4
- Reverb tone
- 5
- Master volume
- 7
- Tremolo depth
- 0
- Tremolo speed
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 1.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level for added depth.
- Dial back the tone slightly to achieve a darker, fuller fuzz sound.
- Experiment with the master volume to find the sweet spot for saturation without losing clarity.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox AC30 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 AC30 settings for Lithium?
Set Gain 7, Bass 5, Treble 6, Reverb 1.5, Tone cut 4, Reverb tone 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 Epiphone SG Standard. 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 AC30
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Raining Blood · Slayer
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.