GuitarDistortedSolo
Highway to Hell Solo Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1968 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely T-Top, stock for late 60s SGs)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt head with Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-65 speakers, late 70s studio setup)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1979. Angus Young plugged straight into the amp, no pedals except possibly a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (used as a preamp/boost in studio). No evidence of other pedals or effects used on the solo. Guitar World and multiple sources confirm minimal/no pedal use for Highway to Hell studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (preamp/boost function) · boost
Guitar → Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (preamp/boost) → Marshall Super Lead 1959 → Marshall 4x12 cab
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Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight, punchy attack
- bright and biting lead tone
- dynamic, touch-sensitive response
- singing sustain on single notes
- minimal compression
- open, uncompressed sound
- slight room ambience on solo
- no audible modulation or delay
- articulate, mid-forward presence