Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — Steve Lukather rhythm parts (main riff/chords)

Original rig

Gibson Les Paul '59 burst → modded Fender Blackface Deluxe (double-tracked). Eddie Van Halen solo: Frankenstrat → Jose Arredondo-modded Marshall 1959 Super Lead with Variac + MXR Phase 90

Tight, punchy crunch with controlled low-end and aggressive upper-mid bite — rhythm is less saturated than the solo

Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

CHANNELOD1 (Overdrive 1)BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR Phase 90 (or similar phaser)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the Van Halen solo section. Set to slow sweep for that warbling modulation. Without it, the solo will sound flat and static.

Speed 4

Why these settings

The MG30CFX is Marshall-voiced but solid-state with tighter, less dynamic response than Lukather's tube Deluxe. Pushed mids to 7 (original Fender was scooped, your Marshall is already mid-forward — this compensates for the Blackface scoop). Dropped bass to 4 because your Epiphone humbuckers have more low-end output than the original '59 PAFs. Gain at 6 gives the controlled crunch of a pushed Deluxe without flubbing out.

PRO TIPFor the main riff, palm-mute aggressively right at the bridge saddles and use strict downstrokes — Lukather's tone sounds tight because of his picking hand, not just the amp. Roll your tone knob to 6 during the Van Halen solo section if you lack a phaser; it darkens the highs slightly and fakes some of that swept-filter effect.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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