GuitarDistortedRiff
Smooth Criminal Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Unknown (likely session guitar, possibly Fender Stratocaster or similar, but not confirmed for this recording)
Pickups
Unknown (likely single-coil or humbucker, not confirmed for this recording)
Amp
Unknown (no sources confirm amp model for studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (estimated, based on percussive, bright attack)
Studio recording, 1987. No direct evidence of guitar/amp model for the riff section. Some sources discuss synths (Roland D-50), but not guitar specifics. No evidence for live rig or pedalboard for this part.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain4.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- dry and direct
- slightly gritty edge
- muted, staccato attack
- minimal sustain
- bright and punchy
- not lush or ambient
- no audible modulation
- focused midrange
- not heavily distorted