Tone library / Michael jackson / Billie jean

Billie jean amp settings — Line 6 Floor pod plus

The Michael jackson guitar tone for “Billie jean”, dialed in for a Line 6 Floor pod plus with a Ibanez SR300E. Studio album version, Thriller (1982) — iconic main bassline

Original rig

Louis Johnson's Music Man StingRay (direct with flatwounds) doubled with Greg Phillinganes on Yamaha CS-80 / Minimoog bass synthesizer

Punchy, dry, synth-like attack with tight low-end thump and muted treble

Amp settings — Line 6 Floor pod plus

CHANNELTube Preamp (or Clean Amp Model)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	7
Mid	6
Treble	3
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Line 6 Floor pod plus? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge+middle TONE4 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Compressor (Floor POD Plus internal)

Direct in signal chain — clamps the transient to mimic the tight synth envelope

Threshold 6 · Ratio 7

02Noise Gate (Floor POD Plus internal)

Tight gate ensures staccato separation between notes

Threshold 5 · Decay 2

Why these settings

The original track layers an electric bass with analog synthesizers, creating a very punchy, staccato, rounded tone without high-end fret sizzle. Using the Line 6 Floor POD Plus on a neutral Tube Preamp setting with rolled-off treble captures the warmth without clipping, while fast compression mimics the synth envelope. Your Ibanez SR300E's active Power Tap switch should be set to Series/Humbucking mode with the onboard treble cut slightly to remove modern brightness.

PRO TIPLightly palm-mute near the bridge using your picking hand while plucking with your thumb or index finger to get the authentic, tight synth-decay envelope.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Line 6 Floor pod plus. 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.