Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat it

Beat it amp settings — Laney LH50

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat it”, dialed in for a Laney LH50 with a Ibanez RG 550. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — Eddie Van Halen solo only

Original rig

Charvel/Frankenstrat with single humbucker → Echoplex tape delay → Variac'd Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead (or Hartley-Thompson HT45)

Searing, vocal mid-forward lead tone with controlled sag, singing sustain, and slapback delay

Amp settings — Laney LH50

CHANNELLead channel (HI input)BRIGHToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Digital Delay (RECOMMENDED — not currently owned)

RECOMMENDED — Boss DD-3 or similar. Set for short slapback (~120-180ms), single repeat, moderate mix. Essential for the solo's depth and sustain feel. Run into front of amp.

Time 3 · Feedback 2 · Level 4

Why these settings

The Laney LH50 is a British-voiced EL34 head with a Plexi-adjacent circuit — closer to EVH's original rig than most. Dropped treble from 7 to 6 and presence from 8 to 5 because the LH50's presence circuit is aggressive and your RG's bridge humbucker is hotter and brighter than EVH's PAF-style pickup. Mid stays at 6 to preserve that vocal, singing quality.

PRO TIPEVH ran his Variac at ~90V for spongy sag and compression — you can approximate this by keeping master volume moderate (5-6) so the power tubes breathe without full stiffness; also, roll your guitar volume to 8 for rhythm passages to clean up, then slam it to 10 for the tapping section.

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These settings are for a Laney LH50. 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.