Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat it

Beat it amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat it”, dialed in for a Roland Cube 40GX with a Sire Larry Carlton S7 vintage. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — iconic main rhythm riff

Original rig

1959 Gibson Les Paul into Paul Rivera-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb

Punchy, tight mid-gain rock crunch with clear note definition and articulate percussive attack
Amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX
CHANNELLead channel, Brit Combo amp type
GAIN 6 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 6 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass5
Mid7
Treble6
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The Brit Combo voice on the Cube 40GX delivers the focused upper-mid punch of Lukather's modified recording rig. Because the S7 Vintage uses lower-output single coils compared to Lukather's PAF humbuckers, bridge tone is rolled back slightly to 8 to tame high-end shrillness while midrange is pushed to 7 on the amp for body. The Cube 40GX lacks a presence control, so treble at 6 provides the bite without harshness.

PRO TIPDig in hard with the side of your pick and use subtle palm muting on the low open strings to replicate the tight, percussive bounce that defines Lukather's rhythm track.

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