Riff Tone

beat it

Unknown Artist

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarValley Arts Custom Pro (Superstrat-style, single bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, 4x12 cab, studio recording, 1982)

PickupsSeymour Duncan TB-4 JB (bridge humbucker, high-output)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' (Thriller, 1982). Rhythm guitar on riff section played by Steve Lukather, not Eddie Van Halen. Guitar is a Valley Arts Custom Pro with a single Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker. Amp is a Marshall JCM800 2203. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; dry, tight, mid-forward tone. Pickup selector set to bridge. No chorus, delay, or phaser on riff. No effects loop.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivemid-forwardslightly drymoderate overdriveaggressive pick attackclean palm mutingsustainnot scoopedno modulationno time-based effects

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting and aggressive pick attack with precise timing and muting for clean stops. The rhythm is syncopated and must be played with minimal sustain, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Amp Settings for Beat It by Michael Jackson (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Beat It Guitar Tone

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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