Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 settings
Beat It settings for Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4
Michael Jackson · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Beat It" riff tone on a Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4, select the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 0, Gain 6.5, Volume 8, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5, ISF 7. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V · updated 2026-09-23
- Preset / mode
- Super Crunch
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 knobs
- Gain
- 0
- Gain
- 6.5
- Volume
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- ISF
- 7
- Voice
- 4
- Tap Tempo
- 0
- Effects Level
- 0
- Power Reduction
- 9
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Focus on sharp, percussive picking to achieve clarity.
- Keep your attack aggressive but controlled to match the original tone.
Solo settings
Adapted for a EVH Wolfgang Special · updated 2026-09-20
- Preset / mode
- Crunch
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-10
Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 knobs
- Gain
- 0
- Gain
- 8
- Volume
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- ISF
- 5
- Voice
- 5
- Tap Tempo
- 0
- Effects Level
- 0
- Power Reduction
- 10
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in delay set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Maintain a tight picking technique to achieve the percussive attack characteristic of the solo.
- Focus on legato playing for smooth transitions between notes, especially during fast passages.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 actually has.
- Guitar
- Charvel 'Frankie' Strat-style (Eddie Van Halen's custom guitar, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)
- Amp
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Jose Arredondo modded, with Variac)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Beat It adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Michael Jackson's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 for Beat It?
Start from the Super Crunch preset, then set Gain 0, Gain 6.5, Volume 8, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5, ISF 7.
Which pickup should I use for Beat It?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Michael Jackson use on Beat It?
Guitar: Charvel 'Frankie' Strat-style (Eddie Van Halen's custom guitar, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo). Amp: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Jose Arredondo modded, with Variac).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Popular songs on the Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.