GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
You Shook Me All Night Long Riff Guitar Tone Settings — AC/DC
AC/DC · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1970-1971 model)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, likely T-Top or patent sticker humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt head (likely late 1960s/early 1970s, with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, Celestion G12-65 speakers)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Back in Black' album, 1980. Angus Young's main studio rig. No pedal effects used in the riff section except possible Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless/preamp) coloration. Rhythm section is bone-dry with minimal reverb, as confirmed by sources. No evidence of effects loop or additional pedals for the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless/preamp coloration, replicated by Solodallas The Schaffer Replica Classic) · boost
Gibson SG Standard → Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless/preamp) → Marshall Super Lead 1959 → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight and percussive
- bright and articulate
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- open, uncompressed attack
- minimal compression
- bone-dry rhythm tone
- clear note separation
- slight amp breakup
- punchy midrange
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'You Shook Me All Night Long' riff found in sources; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and genre.
- Pedal use is minimal; Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless/preamp coloration) may have been used, but not a pedal in the traditional sense.
- Reverb is present but very low, likely added in mixing or via amp room mic; not a pedal or amp reverb knob.
- No evidence of effects loop or additional pedals for the riff section.
- All gear and settings are for the studio recording, not live.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Malcolm and Angus Young used Marshall amps set for a classic crunchy British rock sound with strong mids and moderate gain; the tone is punchy, tight, and dry with little reverb, matching the era's production and AC/DC's signature amp settings.