Boss GX-100 settings
Back in Black settings for Boss GX-100
AC/DC · adapted 9 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Boss GX-100, use the Brit Stack amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 5, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Epiphone Les Paul Custom · updated 2026-11-13
- Amp model
- Brit Stack
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveOD-1Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 3
Playing tips
- Use a percussive attack to emphasize the tightness of the riff.
- Keep your picking hand relaxed for dynamic response.
- Focus on palm muting for added clarity and punch in the lower strings.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul · updated 2026-11-05
- Amp model
- Brit Stack
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 4x12 Cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8-10 · Volume 10
Boss GX-100 knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 2
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 2
Effects chain
- 1overdriveSD-1Gain 3 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 3
- 3compressionStandard CompLevel 5 · Ratio 3 · Attack 5 · Release 5
Playing tips
- Use a percussive attack to replicate Angus Young's crisp style.
- Focus on maintaining a steady picking hand for clarity in notes.
- Experiment with dynamics to emphasize certain notes during the solo.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Boss GX-100 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 amp model should I use on the Boss GX-100 for Back in Black?
Use the Brit Stack (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 5, Presence 5, followed by OD-1, Spring.
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 Epiphone Les Paul Custom. 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 Boss GX-100
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
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.