Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Donner DST 550. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — iconic main rhythm riff (Steve Lukather)

Original rig

1959 Gibson Les Paul into a modded Paul Rivera Fender Deluxe Reverb with light overdrive

Punchy, tight mid-gain rock crunch with clear note definition and articulate percussive attack

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELSuper Crunch (ISF at 4 / ~11 o'clock for American-leaning bite)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Reverb	2
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 uses a single ISF EQ knob rather than individual Bass/Mid/Treble controls, so set ISF to 4 to mirror the American-voiced modified Fender Deluxe Reverb used on the original track. The Super Crunch voice provides the right balance of percussive attack and saturation without muddying Lukather's syncopated double-stops. The bridge humbucker on your Donner DST 550 will supply the required punch and low-end clarity.

PRO TIPMute firmly with the palm right against the bridge saddles on the low-register notes to get the punchy, percussive dynamic 'chug' of Lukather's rhythm track before letting the open double-stops ring out cleanly.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.