Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — D-sound Uhf

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a D-sound Uhf with a Auster California series. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — iconic main rhythm riff

Original rig

Steve Lukather's 1959 Gibson Les Paul into a modded Fender Deluxe Reverb with light overdrive

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

Amp settings — D-sound Uhf

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	5
Treble	6
Reverb	1
Master	6

Don’t have a D-sound Uhf? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Overdrive (Tube Screamer / Boss OD-1 style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Drive 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The D-sound UHF is an unrecognized practice unit, so unverifiable controls are nulled and basic drive is set to 6 to deliver the moderate crunch of the iconic main riff from the amp alone. A bridge pickup provides the necessary upper-mid cut to capture Steve Lukather's crisp attack. Adding a standard overdrive pedal later will let you switch to a cleaner amp base while tightening the low-end definition.

PRO TIPHit the muted low-E syncopations with a firm downstroke right near the bridge saddles to get the dry, snappy percussive pop that drives the record's main groove.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a D-sound Uhf. 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.