GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Who Made Who Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1968-1971 model)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, vintage output)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (Plexi, late 60s/early 70s, non-master volume, cranked)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986. Angus Young plugged straight into the Marshall amp, no pedals except possibly a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (used as a boost/compressor in studio). No evidence of additional effects or pedals for the riff section. All sources emphasize a direct, minimal signal path for the classic AC/DC rhythm sound.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb0.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- mid-rangey and vintage-sounding
- vicious crunch
- tight, punchy rhythm
- bright and articulate
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- raw, uncompressed attack
- percussive, driving riff
- classic Marshall crunch
- slightly compressed from amp saturation
- clear note separation
Notes & Caveats
- No specific numeric amp settings for 'Who Made Who' found; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and genre using classic AC/DC studio rig references.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; all sources emphasize direct guitar-to-amp signal path.
- Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless may have been used as a boost/compressor, but not always present in every studio session.
- Settings are inferred from typical Marshall Plexi usage in classic rock and AC/DC's known studio practices, not from explicit documentation for this exact song.
- No amp reverb or time-based/modulation effects present or audible in the riff section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. AC/DC's 'Who Made Who' riff features their classic crunchy, mid-forward Marshall tone with moderate gain, tight but punchy bass, and strong upper mids for bite. Angus Young typically runs low reverb, and the presence is set to add clarity without harshness, matching the era's dry, direct production style.