How to Dial In "They Don't Care About Us" by Michael Jackson - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "They Don't Care About Us"
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 HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995). HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, often referred to simply as HIStory, is a double album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released on June 20, 1995. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Slash 'Inspired By' Les Paul Standard through a Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555X, the rig we use for Michael Jackson's other songs from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "They Don't Care About Us" Tone
What guitar did Michael Jackson use on "They Don't Care About Us"?
The guitar on "They Don't Care About Us" (released 1995) isn't documented; the Gibson Slash 'Inspired By' Les Paul Standard above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "They Don't Care About Us" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "They Don't Care About Us" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "They Don't Care About Us" 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 "They Don't Care About Us" by Michael Jackson are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.