GuitarCleanRiff
Billie Jean Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson · 1980s · other
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, session player David Williams)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most widely cited for the riff section in studio recording)
Pickup Position
Position 2 (bridge + middle)
Studio recording, 1982. The riff was played by David Williams using a Stratocaster into a Roland JC-120. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the original studio riff. No evidence of additional amp gain or distortion.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence5
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-1 or Roland JC-120 built-in) · chorus
- Compressor pedal (model unknown) · compression
Fender Stratocaster → Compressor pedal → Chorus pedal (or JC-120 built-in) → Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (light reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- clean and glassy
- articulate single-coil attack
- slight chorus shimmer
- compressed dynamics
- minimal sustain
- staccato funk rhythm
- studio-polished clarity
- dry, low-reverb sound
- distinct Stratocaster brightness