GuitarDistortedRiff
Whole Lotta Rosie Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1968-1971 model, stock)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely patent sticker or early T-Top, stock)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 (100-watt, non-master volume, late 60s/early 70s, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12M Greenbacks)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1977. No evidence of pedals in the riff section. Angus Young's signal chain at this time was guitar straight into amp, possibly with Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (which acted as a boost/compander), but no stompboxes. No amp reverb or effects used in the riff. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Marshall usage for AC/DC in studio.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight and percussive attack
- bright and biting upper mids
- open and dynamic response
- raw and uncompressed sound
- clear note separation
- punchy low end
- minimal compression
- no audible reverb or delay
- aggressive bridge pickup