Tone library / Michael Jackson / Black Or White (Single Version)

Black Or White (Single Version) amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Black Or White (Single Version)”, dialed in for a Harley Benton HB-20MFX with a Harley Benton ST-20HH Active SBK. Studio version, Dangerous (1991) — main riff by Bill Bottrell, heavy section by Tim Pierce

Original rig

Kramer American guitar → Mesa Boogie amp (main riff); Gibson Les Paul → Marshall stack (heavy bridge section)

Gritty, slightly compressed crunch with midrange bite — not high-gain, but driven and percussive

Amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

CHANNELOD (Overdrive channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	5
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	6
Presence	0
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The HB-20MFX is a budget solid-state practice amp with limited gain voicing, while the original used tube amp saturation from a Mesa Boogie. Your active humbuckers are hotter than the Kramer's passive pickups, so gain stays moderate at 5 to avoid fizz. Mid pushed to 7 compensates for the amp's naturally scooped voice and replicates Mesa's midrange bark. Tone knob rolled to 7 tames the active pickup's brightness.

PRO TIPThe original riff has a percussive, palm-muted attack — keep your right hand anchored near the bridge and strike with consistent downstrokes to nail that punchy, rhythmic feel Bottrell achieved.

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