Hells Bells — AC/DC1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

Hells Bells Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC

AC/DC · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1970 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson T-Top humbucking pickups
Amp
Late-’70s Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M greenback speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1980. Used for the riff section of 'Hells Bells' on the Back in Black album. No pedals except Schaffer-Vega Diversity Wireless system (used as a wireless and boost/compression unit).

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
5.5
Reverb
1
Treble
6
Presence
3

Effects Chain

  • Schaffer-Vega Diversity Wireless (boost/compression circuit) · boost

Guitar → Schaffer-Vega Diversity Wireless (boost/compression) → Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head → Marshall 4x12 cabinet

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Tone Character

  • crisp treble and crunchy overdrive
  • darker tones with fatter midrange
  • punchy attack
  • tight, percussive rhythm
  • open, dynamic response
  • articulate note separation
  • classic Marshall crunch
  • high mids and treble
  • slight compression from wireless unit
  • no pedal coloration

Sources