GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) Guitar Tone Settings
AC/DC · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird 'The Beast'
Pickups
Gretsch Filter'Tron (bridge position)
Amp
Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Plexi)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1975. Malcolm Young's Gretsch was modified to have only the bridge pickup active. The amp was likely cranked to achieve natural power tube distortion.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass4.5
Gain7
Reverb0
Treble6.5
Presence5
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.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- raw and biting
- powerful midrange punch
- clarity and articulation
- dynamic response
- minimal processing
- unadulterated rock 'n' roll power
- cranked amp saturation
- tight and percussive
- aggressive attack
- natural power tube distortion
Notes & Caveats
- Exact amp settings are estimated based on typical usage of the Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Plexi) during the 1970s.
- Guitar knob settings are inferred from common practices and may not reflect the exact settings used during the recording.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. AC/DC's tone is characterized by a classic rock crunch with a balanced EQ, emphasizing mids for a British rock sound. The recording era and style suggest a dry, straightforward tone without reverb.