Back In Black Solo Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Studio recording, 1980. Angus Young plugged straight into the Marshall amp, no pedals except for the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (which acted as a preamp/boost/compressor). No effects loop. No pedalboard. The Schaffer-Vega was used in the studio and contributed to the solo tone. No time-based or modulation effects are audible in the solo. No amp reverb or delay. Pickup selector in bridge position. All evidence points to a pure, direct signal chain for the solo.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless, used as preamp/boost/compressor) · boost
Gibson SG Standard → Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless preamp/boost) → Marshall Super Lead 1959 → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- biting and aggressive
- tight and percussive
- open, dynamic crunch
- singing sustain with clarity
- articulate note separation
- focused upper-mids
- minimal compression
- very touch-sensitive
- classic British rock drive
- no audible reverb or delay
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings from primary sources; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and genre using classic Marshall Plexi conventions.
- No evidence of any pedals except the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System, which acts as a preamp/boost/compressor.
- No reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, or other time-based/modulation effects are audible or documented for the solo section.
- Pickup selector confirmed as bridge position for solo by multiple interviews and gear rundowns.
- Settings are for the studio recording, not live performances.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Angus Young's 'Back In Black' solo tone is classic Marshall crunch with moderate gain, strong mids, tight but not boomy bass, and bright but not harsh treble/presence; the original recording is very dry with no audible reverb, matching the band's raw, in-your-face production style.