How to Dial In "The Girl Is Mine" by Michael Jackson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "The Girl Is Mine"
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 Thriller (1982). Thriller is the sixth 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 Thriller, 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 "The Girl Is Mine" Tone
What guitar did Michael Jackson use on "The Girl Is Mine"?
The guitar on "The Girl Is Mine" (released 1982) 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 "The Girl Is Mine" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "The Girl Is Mine" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "The Girl Is Mine" 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 "The Girl Is Mine" by Michael Jackson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.