Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — Mooer GE150

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a Mooer GE150 with a Kadence Astroman. Studio version, Thriller (1982) - Main opening rhythm riff (Steve Lukather)

Original rig

1977 Fender Deluxe Reverb (Rivera modded) / Marshall JCM800 + Valley Arts Custom Strat (EMG pickups) / '59 Les Paul Burst + Boss OD-1 / MXR Dyna Comp

Tight, punchy, low-gain crunch with snappy transient attack and articulate low-mids

Amp settings — Mooer GE150

CHANNELUS Deluxe (Fender Deluxe Reverb model) + 1x12 Deluxe IRBRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Mooer GE150? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Mooer GE150 FX: Comp (Dyna Comp style)

Engage inside the GE150 FX/COMP block for snappy percussive attack

Sustain 4 · Level 7

02Mooer GE150 DS: Pure Boost / OD

Used to push the clean Fender amp model into light, controlled breakup without fuzz

Gain 4 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

Steve Lukather originally tracked heavy Marshalls before Quincy Jones ordered him to back off the distortion using a Fender Deluxe to keep it pop-radio friendly. On the Mooer GE150, the US Deluxe model keeps the amp gain low (2) while an internal compressor and light overdrive block provide the tight, punchy crunch. The Astroman's bridge pickup delivers the required treble bite without getting muddy.

PRO TIPPick hard right near the bridge with strict alternate picking and keep your palm lightly resting on the lower strings to get the dry, percussive chunk heard on the record.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Mooer GE150. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Mooer GE150

For the love of GodSteve vai SicSlipknot DisengageSuicide Silence The WorstPolyphia Be quiet and driveDeftones Is this loveWhitesnake

Find your amp

Browse

Mooer GE150 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Beat It on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Michael Jackson tonesALL SONGS Kadence Astroman tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.