GuitarDistortedRiff
Shake a Leg Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (late 1960s/early 1970s, likely 1970-1971, Angus Young's main studio guitar for Back In Black)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely original T-Top or early patent sticker humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (non-master volume, late 60s/early 70s, used in Back In Black sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1980. No evidence of pedals or additional effects for the riff section. Angus Young's rig for Back In Black was extremely stripped down: guitar straight into Marshall Super Lead, no pedals, no amp reverb. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and amp model. All sources agree the AC/DC rhythm tone is dry and direct.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- classic British crunch
- bright and articulate
- punchy mids
- raw and uncompressed
- dynamic response
- focused low end
- slight natural amp breakup
- no reverb or delay
- aggressive pick attack