Riff Tone
Billie Jean
Michael Jackson
Guitarother1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, session player David Williams)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most widely cited for the riff section in studio recording)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb2
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-1 or Roland JC-120 built-in)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1982. The riff was played by David Williams using a Stratocaster into a Roland JC-120. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the original studio riff. No evidence of additional amp gain or distortion.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclean and glassyarticulate single-coil attackslight chorus shimmercompressed dynamicsminimal sustainstaccato funk rhythmstudio-polished claritydry, low-reverb sounddistinct Stratocaster brightness
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise muting and timing, but does not involve complex chord shapes or advanced techniques.
Sources
This tone has been researched 13 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarother1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, session player David Williams)
AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (most widely cited for the riff section in studio recording)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb2
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CE-1 or Roland JC-120 built-in)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
This tone has been researched 13 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1982. The riff was played by David Williams using a Stratocaster into a Roland JC-120. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the original studio riff. No evidence of additional amp gain or distortion.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveclean and glassyarticulate single-coil attackslight chorus shimmercompressed dynamicsminimal sustainstaccato funk rhythmstudio-polished claritydry, low-reverb sounddistinct Stratocaster brightness
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise muting and timing, but does not involve complex chord shapes or advanced techniques.
Billie Jean settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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