GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Beat It Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Valley Arts Custom Pro (Steve Lukather session guitar, likely HSS configuration)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan humbucker (bridge), single coils (middle/neck, exact models unknown)
Amp
Paul Rivera-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb (studio, 1982)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1982. Rhythm riff played by Steve Lukather using his Valley Arts Custom Pro through a Rivera-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. Not to be confused with the solo, which was played by Eddie Van Halen on different gear.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- bright and articulate
- punchy attack
- clear note separation
- slightly compressed
- studio-polished
- muted chugging
- bridge pickup bite
- minimal ambience
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found; settings estimated based on typical Rivera-modded Fender Deluxe usage for 80s LA session rock.
- No evidence of pedals or additional effects used on the riff section; all effects and pedals omitted accordingly.
- Guitar model inferred from Steve Lukather's known session gear for 'Beat It' riff, not from solo section.
- Pickup model and selector position inferred from typical Valley Arts HSS configuration and tone characteristics.
- If more precise amp settings or pedal usage are found in future interviews or session notes, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Beat It' riff was played by Steve Lukather using a modded Marshall with a bright, punchy, and aggressive 80s hard rock tone—crunchy but not overly saturated, with forward mids and cutting treble. The production is dry and tight, with minimal reverb, typical of early 80s LA rock studio standards.