How to Dial In "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Man in the Mirror"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Bad (1987). Bad is the seventh studio album by the American singer Michael Jackson. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Michael Jackson's other songs from Bad, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the middle and bridge pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Man in the Mirror" Tone
What guitar did Michael Jackson use on "Man in the Mirror"?
The guitar on "Man in the Mirror" (released 1987) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Man in the Mirror" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Man in the Mirror" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Man in the Mirror" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.