GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Thunderstruck Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1968 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, medium output)
Amp
Marshall 1959SLP Super Lead 100W head with Marshall 1960BX 4x12 cabinet (Celestion Greenbacks)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1989-1990 for 'The Razors Edge' album. Angus Young used his main 1968 Gibson SG and Marshall Super Lead amp. No pedals or effects used; signal is guitar straight into amp. Settings are based on reported rig rundowns and era-appropriate amp usage.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass4.5
Gain5.5
Reverb0.5
Treble5
Presence3.5
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Tone Character
- tight, percussive attack
- bright and articulate
- clear note separation
- raw, uncompressed amp overdrive
- dynamic response to picking
- minimal sustain
- classic Marshall crunch
- medium output humbucker clarity
- no pedal coloration
- slightly scooped mids
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio amp knob settings for 'Thunderstruck' found; settings are based on rig rundown and user reports referencing AC/DC's typical studio setup.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the studio recording; all sources and interviews confirm Angus Young runs guitar straight into amp.
- Settings are from a user referencing a rig rundown and may not be the exact studio settings, but match known AC/DC practices for this era.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical Angus Young usage and tone characteristics; no explicit source for pickup selector position.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' riff features Angus Young's classic Marshall crunch—medium gain, strong mids, and bright treble for clarity and bite. The tone is dry and punchy with minimal reverb, and presence is set moderately high to cut through the mix, matching both the band's typical settings and the late-'80s/early-'90s production style.