Boss GX-1 settings
Highway to Hell settings for Boss GX-1
AC/DC · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Highway to Hell" riff tone on a Boss GX-1, use the MARSHALL 1959 amp model on the crunch channel, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin · updated 2026-10-16
- Amp model
- MARSHALL 1959
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 Closed Back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Boss GX-1 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6.5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveTube ScreamerGain 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 3 · Decay 4
Playing tips
- Focus on palm muting for tight, punchy riffs.
- Use aggressive pick attack to enhance the gritty tone.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to capture the driving energy of the riff.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-1 actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson SG Standard (late 1960s, likely 1968-1970, stock humbuckers)
- Amp
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (plexi, late 1960s/early 1970s, no master volume)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Highway to Hell 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 amp model should I use on the Boss GX-1 for Highway to Hell?
Use the MARSHALL 1959 (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, followed by Tube Screamer, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Highway to Hell?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did AC/DC use on Highway to Hell?
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard (late 1960s, likely 1968-1970, stock humbuckers). Amp: Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (plexi, late 1960s/early 1970s, no master volume).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Highway to Hell on other amps
- Highway to Hell on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Highway to Hell on Boss Katana · 181
- Highway to Hell on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 103
- Highway to Hell on Boss GT-1000 · 59
- Highway to Hell on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 47
- Highway to Hell on Fender Tone Master Pro · 46
- Highway to Hell on Fender Champion 20 · 41
- Highway to Hell on Positive Grid Spark · 40
Popular songs on the Boss GX-1
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Heart-Shaped Box · Nirvana
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- 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.