Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat it

Beat it amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat it”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Squier Contemporary Stratocaster. Studio version, Thriller (1982) - main rhythm riff

Original rig

Steve Lukather's 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard into a modified Fender Deluxe Reverb II and Marshall JCM800/Plexi mix

Tight, punchy, medium-gain rock crunch with defined mid-bite and clear low-end articulation

Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

CHANNELClassic Gain (Crunch mode)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	6
Presence	5
Reverb	2
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE9 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Classic Gain channel in Crunch mode replicates the cranked late-vintage Marshall and modified Deluxe punch without getting overly saturated. On your Squier Contemporary Stratocaster's bridge pickup, rolling the tone knob slightly to 9 smooths out high-end fizz while mid 7 delivers Lukather's thick PAF low-mid punch. Resonance should be kept around 5 on the DSL40CR to keep the palm-muted lower register tight and distinct.

PRO TIPDig in hard with a heavy pick near the bridge on the palm-muted low E string to capture Lukather's signature percussive snap and harmonic clarity.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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