Tone library / Michael Jackson / Beat it

Beat it amp settings — Sanchez Gm 815

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Beat it”, dialed in for a Sanchez Gm 815 with a Sanchez MI-ST111. Studio version, Thriller (1982) — iconic main rhythm riff (Steve Lukather)

Original rig

1959 Gibson Les Paul into Paul Rivera-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb with light overdrive

Punchy, tight mid-gain rock crunch with clear note definition and articulate percussive attack

Amp settings — Sanchez Gm 815

CHANNELOverdrive / DriveBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE9 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Overdrive (Ibanez TS9 or Boss SD-1 style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; tightens low-end attack into clean channel

Drive 4 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The Sanchez GM-815 is a basic solid-state practice amp with simple 2-band EQ (bass/treble only, mid control is absent). To replicate Steve Lukather's punchy studio crunch without pedals, use the amp's drive switch with gain at 6 and keep the bass tight around 5 to avoid low-end flub on the small speaker. Setting the Strat-style bridge pickup tone slightly down to 9 rounds off the harsh single-coil bite to better emulate a vintage Les Paul humbucker.

PRO TIPMute the low open-string chug heavily with your picking hand palm right against the bridge saddles to get the tight, machine-like percussive snap Lukather used on the record.

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These settings are for a Sanchez Gm 815. 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.