Back In Black — AC/DC1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo

Back In Black Solo Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC

AC/DC · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1970-1971 model, with vibrola removed)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, likely patent sticker T-tops)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (Plexi, late 1960s/early 1970s, non-master volume) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12-65 speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

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

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
7
Reverb
0
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

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

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

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

Sources