GuitarDistortedRiff
Sin City Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1968 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely patent sticker T-tops, stock for late 60s SGs)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt head (Plexi, late 60s/early 70s, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1978 (Powerage album). Angus Young's signal path for 'Sin City' riff is confirmed as SG straight into Marshall Super Lead, no pedals or effects except possible Schaffer-Vega wireless preamp coloration. No evidence of pedals or amp effects on the riff section. All sources agree on minimal/no pedals for this era and song.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass4.5
Gain5.5
Reverb0
Treble5
Presence3.5
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Tone Character
- British crunch
- raw and punchy rhythm
- tight, percussive attack
- open, dynamic response
- clear note separation
- minimal compression
- midrange bite
- slight natural breakup
- no pedal coloration
- classic rock rhythm
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio