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lead guitar from “beat it” by michael jackson | ToneDB

beat it

michael jackson

lead guitar

95% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A searing, high-gain yet articulate 'brown sound' with aggressive pick attack and distinctive midrange. It's characterized by its raw power, virtuosic delivery, and a touch of tape echo ambience.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Custom-modified Stratocaster-style guitar ('Frankenstrat') with a Gibson PAF humbucker in the bridge position.

Amp: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W 'Plexi' head (heavily modified), run through a Variac to lower wall voltage (reportedly around 89-90V).

Microphone: Shure SM57 (likely, possibly a Neumann U67 or U87)

Processing: MXR Echoplex EP-3 (for slapback delay/ambience), Studio EQ (likely console EQ for final shaping)

Other: Amp cranked to maximum volume. The Variac was crucial for achieving the 'brown sound' by reducing voltage to the amp, causing power tube saturation at a slightly lower overall output and unique compression. The solo was reportedly improvised.

Recording Notes

  • Eddie Van Halen improvised the solo, reportedly in just two takes, with the second take being the keeper.
  • The Marshall amp head was run so hot that it supposedly caught fire or blew a speaker cabinet during or after the session.
  • The solo was added to provide a rock edge to the R&B/pop track, a decision by producer Quincy Jones.
  • EVH used his own guitar, amp head, and a 4x12 cabinet, brought to Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
  • No payment was requested by EVH for the solo; he did it as a favor.
  • Bruce Swedien engineered the session.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a guitar equipped with a high-output bridge humbucker.
  • Use a Marshall 'Plexi' style amplifier or a high-quality amp modeler with a 'brown sound' or hot-rodded Marshall preset. Key is to push the power section.
  • A Variac is dangerous if misused; instead, consider an attenuator with a Plexi-style amp to achieve power tube saturation at manageable volumes, or use a 'brown sound' pedal (e.g., Wampler Pinnacle, Catalinbread DLS) into a clean or slightly pushed amp.
  • Add a short slapback delay (around 80-150ms, single repeat) with minimal feedback to emulate the Echoplex EP-3's characteristic ambience.
  • Focus on aggressive picking dynamics and EVH's signature techniques: wide vibrato, whammy bar dives, rapid alternate picking, and tapping.
  • Boost upper-mids (around 1.6kHz - 2.5kHz) for cut and presence, but avoid excessive treble which can make the tone thin or fizzy. Roll back the bass if it gets muddy.

Sources