Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — Blackstar Debut 10e

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a Blackstar Debut 10e with a Cort G110. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — Eddie Van Halen's solo tone

Original rig

EVH Frankenstrat (bridge humbucker) → MXR Phase 90 → MXR Flanger → Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead (variac'd to ~90V for brown sound saturation)

Hot, saturated 'brown sound' — thick midrange bark, smooth sustain, harmonic richness with subtle phase sweep

Amp settings — Blackstar Debut 10e

CHANNELOverdrive (OD-1 voice)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	5
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Debut 10e's OD-1 voice is British-flavored, close to the Marshall character EVH used. Pushed mids to 7 (vs original's 6) because the Debut's small 4" speaker lacks the low-mid punch of a 4x12 — this compensates. Treble dropped to 6 to avoid fizz at high gain on a practice amp. No presence knob exists on this amp. The Phase 90 swirl is missing without a pedal — the core crunch is achievable, the modulated shimmer is not.

PRO TIPEVH's 'brown sound' came partly from touch dynamics — dig in hard on the pick attack for the aggressive notes, then lighten up for the sustained singing tones. Roll your guitar volume to 7-8 between solo phrases to clean up slightly, then back to 10 for the big sustain moments.

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These settings are for a Blackstar Debut 10e. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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