TonesMatch
Rock 'N' Roll Train — AC/DC1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Rock 'N' Roll Train Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC

AC/DC · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (Angus Young, bridge pickup), Gretsch G6131 Jet Firebird (Malcolm Young, bridge pickup)
Pickups
Gibson SG: Gibson humbucker (bridge), Gretsch Jet: Filter'Tron humbucker (bridge)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (Angus), Marshall Super Bass 100-watt (Malcolm)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for 'Rock 'N' Roll Train' (2008, Black Ice album). Both guitars plugged straight into Marshall heads, no pedals or effects, as confirmed by interviews. Settings based on direct quotes from Angus Young and period-correct practices. No effects loop or pedals used for riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
5.5
Gain
4.5
Reverb
0.5
Treble
6
Presence
3

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 natural
  • tight and percussive
  • big, clean sound with edge-of-breakup crunch
  • bright and articulate
  • uncluttered and pure
  • dynamic and punchy
  • aggressive bridge pickup bite
  • full-bodied powerchords
  • minimal compression
  • no effects coloration

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No specific numeric amp settings for 'Rock 'N' Roll Train' found; settings are based on direct Angus Young quotes about his standard Marshall setup and period-correct practices.
  • ⚠️No pedals or effects are used in the riff section per multiple sources and interviews; AC/DC is known for a pure amp tone with no pedals.
  • ⚠️Settings are estimated from direct quotes: 'volume at full; treble and bass at half; midrange at half; and presence at zero.'
  • ⚠️No reverb or time/modulation effects are audible or mentioned for the riff section; the sound is dry and direct.
  • ⚠️Both guitars use bridge pickups for maximum bite and clarity in the riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. AC/DC's 'Rock 'N' Roll Train' uses a classic Marshall crunch with moderate gain, strong mids, and slightly boosted treble/presence for bite; the bass is full but not boomy, and the tone is dry with almost no reverb, matching their signature tight, punchy hard rock sound.

Sources