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

Hells Bells Solo Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC

AC/DC · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

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

Studio recording for 'Back in Black' (1980). Angus Young used the bridge pickup, guitar volume and tone on 10. Effects chain included Schaffer-Vega Diversity System for wireless/boost. No pedals or amp reverb/delay used. Settings are for the studio recording, not live.

Amp Settings

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

Effects Chain

  • Schaffer-Vega Diversity System · boost

Guitar → Schaffer-Vega Diversity System → Marshall 2203 JMP → Marshall 4x12 cabinet

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Tone Character

  • crisp treble and crunchy overdrive
  • fat midrange and saturated distortion
  • classic Marshall crunch
  • tight, punchy attack
  • singing sustain
  • dynamic, touch-sensitive response
  • bright and articulate
  • not high-gain, but powerful
  • open, uncompressed feel
  • no time-based or modulation effects

Sources