Solo Tone

Beat It

Michael Jackson

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarValley Arts Custom Pro (Steve Lukather's session guitar, used for clean parts on 'Beat It')

AmpFender Deluxe Reverb (modded Rivera version, studio recording, 1982)

PickupsEMG active single coil (neck/middle), EMG active humbucker (bridge); likely neck or middle for clean sections

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb2.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1982. Clean sections played by Steve Lukather, not Eddie Van Halen. Lukather used his Valley Arts Custom Pro with EMG pickups into a modded Fender Deluxe Reverb (Rivera mod). No evidence of additional pedals or effects on the clean section. All information is for the studio recording, not live.

Tone Character(10)

clear and articulatetight and drymodest overdrive (edge of breakup, but still clean)pop radio friendlyno heavy effectswarm but presentbalanced EQ (not scooped, not harsh)studio-polisheddynamic and responsivenot compressed or saturated

Difficulty

The clean rhythm part requires tight, precise playing and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast soloing.

Sources

Hear Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather’s isolated guitar parts from Michael Jackon’s Beat It | Guitar World Michael Jackson’s Beat It was nearly a metal track | Guitar World The scooped mids rhythm guitar sound of 'Beat It' (1982)

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