Thunderstruck — AC/DC1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

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

Mids
5
Bass
4.5
Gain
5.5
Reverb
0.5
Treble
5
Presence
3.5

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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

Sources