Tone library / Michael jackson / Beat it

Beat it amp settings — Harley benton RB-20

The Michael jackson guitar tone for “Beat it”, dialed in for a Harley benton RB-20 with a Harley benton Bs-20. 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 — Harley benton RB-20

CHANNELOverdrive switch ON

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

Don’t have a Harley benton RB-20? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

RECOMMENDED — not owned

Drive 6 · Tone 5 · Level 7

Why these settings

The HB-20R/RB-20 practice amp has no dedicated mid or presence controls, so treble is boosted to 7 to replicate the bite and cutting edge of Lukather's modified Fender rig. The amp's built-in overdrive channel is engaged at gain 6 to provide the necessary crunch from your standalone setup. If you add a TS9-style overdrive later, switch the amp to clean and run gain at 2 for a tighter, more authentic attack.

PRO TIPAnchor your palm lightly across the low strings near the bridge saddle to keep the opening riff's staccato hits snappy and percussive rather than ringing out.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Harley benton RB-20. 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.