Blackstar HT-5 settings
Back in Black settings for Blackstar HT-5
AC/DC · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Blackstar HT-5, set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 5, Isf 7, Clean tone 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gibson Flying V · updated 2026-10-10
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar HT-5 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Isf
- 7
- Clean tone
- 0
- Clean volume
- 0
- Overdrive bass
- 5
- Overdrive gain
- 5
- Overdrive middle
- 6
- Overdrive select
- 1
- Overdrive treble
- 5
- Overdrive volume
- 6
- Effects level switch
- 0
Playing tips
- Use a strong pick attack for a percussive sound.
- Palm mute on the lower strings for added tightness.
- Focus on dynamic playing to capture the touch-sensitive response.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar HT-5 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 are the best Blackstar HT-5 settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 5, Isf 7, Clean tone 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 Flying V. 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 Blackstar HT-5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Walk · Pantera
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Alive · Pearl Jam
- Plug In Baby · Muse
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
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.