Riff Tone

Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarSteve Stevens Signature Hamer SS2 Custom (likely, as used on 'Dirty Diana' studio recording)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (likely, based on Steve Stevens' 1980s studio rig and genre conventions)

PickupsSeymour Duncan humbuckers (exact model unspecified, likely SH-4 JB in bridge)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1987. Steve Stevens played the main guitar parts on the original studio track. No direct source confirms the exact amp/pickup model for the clean riff, but this is the most probable based on his known studio gear for the era. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitar for the clean riff section.

Tone Character(10)

clean and percussivebright and articulatetight attackslightly compressedmildly scooped midsrhythmic clarityquick note decayminimal sustainsubtle studio reverbno audible modulation

Difficulty

The clean riff requires tight, syncopated picking and precise muting to maintain clarity and groove, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

DIRTY DIANA TAB by Michael Jackson @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com Hey, first post here :) Does anyone have tabs for Dirty Diana? With ...Steve Stevens Working with Michael Jackson on Dirty Diana How to play Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson (guitar lesson) - YouTube

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