GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Highway to Hell Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1968 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely original T-Top humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt head with Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1979. Angus Young plugged straight into the amp with no pedals for the riff section. Malcolm Young used a Gretsch Jet Firebird into a Marshall amp for rhythm, but this profile is for Angus's main riff part.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight and percussive attack
- open, dynamic rhythm sound
- bright and articulate
- slight natural amp breakup
- no pedal coloration
- raw, uncompressed feel
- midrange punch
- clear note separation
- minimal reverb
Notes & Caveats
- No official amp knob settings for the studio Highway to Hell riff are published; values estimated based on typical Marshall Super Lead settings for classic AC/DC tones and forum consensus.
- No effects pedals were used for the riff section; all overdrive is from the amp.
- Some sources discuss live rigs or other AC/DC songs—only studio recording gear for the riff is included here.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Malcolm and Angus Young used Marshall amps set for classic British crunch with strong mids, moderate bass, and clear but not harsh treble; the tone is dry with no audible reverb, matching late '70s hard rock production and AC/DC's signature raw, punchy sound.