GuitarCleanRiff
Human Nature Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson · 1980s · other
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Session player guitar (likely Fender Stratocaster or Yamaha SG2000, but not confirmed for riff section)
Pickups
Single-coil (if Stratocaster) or humbucker (if Yamaha SG2000); exact model not confirmed
Amp
Unknown clean amp (likely Roland JC-120 or Fender Twin Reverb, but not confirmed for riff section)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (if Stratocaster); if humbucker, likely neck position for warmth
No direct source confirms the exact guitar or amp for the clean riff section. Most sources focus on synths (Yamaha CS-80, Oberheim 4-Voice) and do not mention guitar specifics for the riff. No evidence of live vs. studio variation. Recording year: 1982 (Thriller sessions).
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb4.5
Treble7
Presence5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- crystal-clear and clean
- smooth and glassy
- subtle reverb ambience
- no audible distortion
- even and soft attack
- studio-polished clarity
- not prominent in the mix
- warm and rounded (if neck pickup)
- no compression artifacts
- very subtle, almost transparent