Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat It

Beat It amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 40

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat It”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark 40 with a Schecter Omen 6. Studio version, Thriller (1982) - Main iconic rhythm riff

Original rig

1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard into a Paul Rivera-modded Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb

Tight, articulate mid-gain crunch with crisp top-end bite and controlled low end

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark 40

CHANNELBlacker Duo (Fender Blackface model)BRIGHTonBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Reverb	1
Master	7

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Overdrive (Tube Screamer / Clone Drive block)

Spark app Drive block in front of Blacker Duo model

Drive 6 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

Steve Lukather backed off heavy distortion per Quincy Jones' request and recorded through an overdriven modded Fender Deluxe rather than a full Marshall stack. On the Spark 40, select the Blacker Duo model kept relatively clean and use the internal Drive pedal block to provide tight, punchy crunch. The Schecter Omen 6 passive humbuckers match the punch of Lukather's '59 Les Paul, so keeping the bass at 4 avoids muddiness on the Spark 40's bass-heavy cabinet.

PRO TIPPick firmly right near the bridge on the low strings with strict palm muting on the open string chugs to capture Lukather's punchy, percussive studio attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Positive Grid Spark 40. 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.