AmpliTube 5 MAX settings
Back in Black settings for AmpliTube 5 MAX
AC/DC · adapted 11 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a AmpliTube 5 MAX, select the British Tube Lead 1 preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 7.5, Treble 4.5, Presence 5.5, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-11-06
- Preset / mode
- British Tube Lead 1
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
AmpliTube 5 MAX knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7.5
- Treble
- 4.5
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on a tight picking attack to emphasize the percussive nature of the riff.
- Use palm muting selectively to create dynamic contrast in the riff.
- Experiment with finger placement on the fretboard to achieve clear chord definition.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your AmpliTube 5 MAX actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson SG Standard (1970s, likely '69-'73, stock humbuckers)
- Amp
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-watt Plexi (1970s, 4-input, non-master volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers)
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7.5
- Treble
- 4.5
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Back in Black adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts AC/DC's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the AmpliTube 5 MAX for Back in Black?
Start from the British Tube Lead 1 preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 7.5, Treble 4.5, Presence 5.5, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Back in Black?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did AC/DC use on Back in Black?
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard (1970s, likely '69-'73, stock humbuckers). Amp: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-watt Plexi (1970s, 4-input, non-master volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Gibson Les Paul. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Back in Black on other amps
- Back in Black on Fender Mustang LT25 · 295
- Back in Black on Boss Katana · 287
- Back in Black on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 157
- Back in Black on Fender Frontman 10G · 143
- Back in Black on Boss GT-1000 · 107
- Back in Black on Fender Champion 20 · 79
- Back in Black on Fender Tone Master Pro · 75
- Back in Black on Positive Grid Spark · 66
Popular songs on the AmpliTube 5 MAX
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.