Yamaha GA15 settings
Beat It settings for Yamaha GA15
Michael Jackson · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Beat It" solo tone on a Yamaha GA15, set Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Drive gain 8, Clean volume 0, Drive volume 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-10.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Yamaha ERG121 · updated 2026-10-24
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-10
Yamaha GA15 knobs
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7
- Drive gain
- 8
- Clean volume
- 0
- Drive volume
- 6
- Drive clean switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Focus on aggressive pick attack for a cutting tone.
- Use fast legato techniques to enhance the explosive character of the solo.
- Incorporate tapping passages for added complexity and sustain.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Yamaha GA15 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 Yamaha GA15 settings for Beat It?
Set Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Drive gain 8, Clean volume 0, Drive volume 6.
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 Yamaha ERG121. 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 Yamaha GA15
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Creep · Radiohead
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.