Tone library / Michael Jackson / Dirty Diana

Dirty Diana amp settings — NUX Mighty 20 MKII

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Dirty Diana”, dialed in for a NUX Mighty 20 MKII with a JET GUITARS JT-300 S. Studio version, Bad (1987) — Steve Stevens lead and solo parts

Original rig

Jackson Soloist (Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker) → Compressor → Marshall 1968 Plexi 100W Head → Marshall 4x12 (Celestion V30s) → Lexicon PCM-70 digital delay

Aggressive, searing mid-forward lead tone with sizzling presence and tight compression
Amp settings — NUX Mighty 20 MKII
CHANNELLead (Plexi 100 / Marshall Hi-Gain model with 4x12 V30 Cab IR)BOOSTon
GAIN 8 BASS 5 MID 8 TREBLE 7 REVERB 3 MASTER 7
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass5
Mid8
Treble7
Reverb3
Master7
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Onboard Compressor Block (NUX Dyna Comp)

Placed pre-amp block to add singing sustain and smooth out single-coil pick attack

Sustain 7 · Level 7

02Onboard Delay Block (NUX Digital Delay)

Post-amp (FX loop position) set to ~380ms eighth-note delay for Steve Stevens spatial lead thickness

Time 4 · Repeat 4 · Level 3

03Onboard Hall Reverb Block

Post-amp space to emulate studio production

Decay 5 · Tone 5 · Level 3
Why these settings

To emulate Steve Stevens' hot Seymour Duncan bridge humbucker on your single-coil JT-300 Telecaster, the tone knob is rolled back slightly to 8 and mids are pushed heavily on the NUX Plexi model. The onboard compressor block is essential to compensate for single-coil output drops, adding the fluid sustain heard on the original solo. High gain and treble bite are dialed directly via the Lead amp channel and digital delay without requiring any external pedals.

PRO TIPUse aggressive pick attack with aggressive pinch harmonics on the G and B strings for Steve Stevens' signature screech, and use slight fretboard vibrato combined with the compressor to let sustained high bends bloom.

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These settings are for a NUX Mighty 20 MKII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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