Fender Mustang III settings
Billie Jean settings for Fender Mustang III
Michael Jackson · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" solo tone on a Fender Mustang III, select the Studio Preamp preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 4, Mid 5, Treble 5.5, Reverb 0.5. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 9-10 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
updated 2026-08-22
- Preset / mode
- Studio Preamp
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 9-10 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang III knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (digital) · 2
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus to replicate the distinctive shimmer of the original tone.
- Set the reverb to a moderate level to add depth without overwhelming the clarity.
- Focus on tight, percussive picking to achieve the articulate single-note lines characteristic of the solo.
Riff settings
updated 2026-11-13
- Preset / mode
- '57 Deluxe
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup (single-coil)
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 9-10 · Volume 8-9
Fender Mustang III knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Chorus on
- Reverb on (Digital) · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level for a shimmering effect.
- Keep your playing tight and percussive to capture the funk rhythm.
- Focus on staccato playing to emphasize the rhythmic aspects of the riff.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fender Mustang III actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, session player David Williams)
- Amp
- Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most widely cited for the riff section in studio recording)
- Gain
- 0
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Billie Jean 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 III for Billie Jean?
Start from the Studio Preamp preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 4, Mid 5, Treble 5.5, Reverb 0.5.
Which pickup should I use for Billie Jean?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 9-10 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Michael Jackson use on Billie Jean?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, session player David Williams). Amp: Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most widely cited for the riff section in studio recording).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Billie Jean on other amps
Popular songs on the Fender Mustang III
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
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.