Crate GX-15R settings
Beat It settings for Crate GX-15R
Michael Jackson · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Beat It" solo tone on a Crate GX-15R, set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Reverb 0.5, Reverb Control 2. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-10.
Solo settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-10
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Reverb Control
- 2
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 8
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 6
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a low level for slight ambiance.
- Focus on aggressive pick attack to achieve the explosive, saturated lead tone.
- Incorporate fast legato and tapping passages to emulate the original solo style.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP MX-220 · updated 2026-06-25
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Crate GX-15R knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Reverb Control
- 2
- Level (Clean Channel)
- 0
- Gain (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
- Level (Overdrive Channel)
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Focus on tight palm-muted chugs to capture the sharp, percussive attack of the riff.
- Keep your picking hand relaxed for controlled aggression in your playing.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Crate GX-15R 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 are the best Crate GX-15R settings for Beat It?
Set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7.5, Reverb 0.5, Reverb Control 2.
Which pickup should I use for Beat It?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 8-10.
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 ESP MX-220. 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 Crate GX-15R
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Floods · Pantera
- One · Metallica
- Fade to Black · Metallica
- The Call of Ktulu · Metallica
- To Live Is to Die · Metallica
- Welcome Home (Sanitarium) · Metallica
- ...And Justice for All · Metallica
- Orion · Metallica
- This Love · Pantera
- Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener · Black Sabbath
- Hotel California · Eagles
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.