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Riff Tone
Dirty Diana
Michael Jackson
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson Soloist (mid-1980s, likely custom or USA model)
AmpMarshall Plexi (late '60s, likely Super Lead 1959 100W head)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1987. Steve Stevens confirmed using his Jackson Soloist into his rack and a late '60s Marshall Plexi for the 'Dirty Diana' recording. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the studio riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and saturatedaggressive and cuttingarticulate note separationhigh-output humbucker punchBritish-voiced crunchpronounced pick attackpercussive palm mutingminimal ambiencesustained power chordsslight compression
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise alternate picking, and syncopated rhythm at a moderate tempo, making it challenging for intermediate players but not requiring advanced solo techniques.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarJackson Soloist (mid-1980s, likely custom or USA model)
AmpMarshall Plexi (late '60s, likely Super Lead 1959 100W head)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1987. Steve Stevens confirmed using his Jackson Soloist into his rack and a late '60s Marshall Plexi for the 'Dirty Diana' recording. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the studio riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and saturatedaggressive and cuttingarticulate note separationhigh-output humbucker punchBritish-voiced crunchpronounced pick attackpercussive palm mutingminimal ambiencesustained power chordsslight compression
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise alternate picking, and syncopated rhythm at a moderate tempo, making it challenging for intermediate players but not requiring advanced solo techniques.