Yamaha GA15 settings
Lithium settings for Yamaha GA15
Nirvana · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Lithium" riff tone on a Yamaha GA15, set Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Drive gain 0, Clean volume 5, Drive volume 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-11-11
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Yamaha GA15 knobs
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 5.5
- Drive gain
- 0
- Clean volume
- 5
- Drive volume
- 0
- Drive clean switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a punchy attack on the riff.
- Strum aggressively to emphasize the fuzz character.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to achieve a fuller sound.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Yamaha GA15 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 Yamaha GA15 settings for Lithium?
Set Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 5.5, Drive gain 0, Clean volume 5, Drive volume 0.
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 Fender 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
More Nirvana on the Yamaha GA15
All Nirvana tones →Popular songs on the Yamaha GA15
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Creep · Radiohead
- Iris · Goo Goo Dolls
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.