Fender Mustang I (V.2) settings
Beat It settings for Fender Mustang I (V.2)
Michael Jackson · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Beat It" riff tone on a Fender Mustang I (V.2), select the '65 Deluxe Reverb preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 4, Treble 5.5, Reverb 0.5, Modulation 0, Delay reverb 0. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 9-10 and volume on 8-10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GIO GRGR330EX · updated 2026-10-07
- Preset / mode
- '65 Deluxe Reverb
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 9-10 · Volume 8-10
Fender Mustang I (V.2) knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 4
- Treble
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Modulation
- 0
- Delay reverb
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level for added depth.
- Play with a clean, percussive attack to emphasize the funk-inspired riff.
- Focus on clear note separation to maintain the tightness of the riff.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang I (V.2) 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 Fender Mustang I (V.2) for Beat It?
Start from the '65 Deluxe Reverb preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 4, Treble 5.5, Reverb 0.5, Modulation 0, Delay reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Beat It?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 9-10 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 Ibanez GIO GRGR330EX. 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 Fender Mustang I (V.2)
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
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.