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 Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, Thriller (1982) - signature main rhythm riff

Original rig

Steve Lukather: modified 1977 'Robot' Strat / '59 Les Paul Burst into Fender Deluxe Reverb and Marshall JCM800/Plexi heads

Tight, punchy, articulate hard-rock crunch with focused upper-mids

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELSuper Crunch (Voice selector)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	2
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The ID:Core 20 V3 lacks a physical presence knob, so presence is nulled, and the ISF knob should be set around 8 (fully clockwise toward British) to capture the punchy Marshall crunch. To compensate for single-coil Strat pickups compared to Lukather's high-output humbucker tone, mid is bumped to 7 and the guitar's bridge tone knob is pulled back slightly to 8 to tame high-end harshness. Since the ID:Core is a modeling amp, the Super Crunch voice provides all necessary gain without external dirt pedals.

PRO TIPDig in hard with a stiff pick near the bridge for the percussive attack, and keep your palm mute firmly locked right on the bridge saddles to keep the low-end staccato notes tight without losing low-mid punch.

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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.