Riff Tone

Chicago

Michael Jackson

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarUnknown (likely session musician, possibly Tim Pierce or Paul Jackson Jr.; model not confirmed for this track)

AmpUnknown (likely a clean Fender or Roland Jazz Chorus, but not confirmed for this track)

PickupsUnknown (likely single-coil or humbucker, model not confirmed for this track)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)

Notes

No direct sources confirm the exact guitar, pickups, or amp for 'Chicago' riff section. Michael Jackson's studio sessions in the 1980s-2010s often used LA session pros like Tim Pierce or Paul Jackson Jr., who favored Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, or Gibson ES-335s into clean amps (Fender Twin Reverb, Roland JC-120). No evidence for live performance rig; this is a studio recording from the 2010s (posthumous release, recorded 1999-2001).

Tone Character(10)

tight, funky rhythm guitarbright and percussive attackclean, glassy top endsnappy single-note linesminimal breakuparticulate chord stabsdynamic, responsive to pickingstudio-polished clarityno audible overdrive or fuzzdistinct separation of notes

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level funk rhythm skills, including tight muting, syncopation, and clean articulation, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast passages.

Sources

Rig Rundown: Tim Pierce - Premier Guitar Equipboard—Find Your Sound

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