Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III settings
Highway to Hell settings for Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
AC/DC · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Highway to Hell" riff tone on a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, use the Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-11-09
- Amp model
- Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 Closed Back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6.5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveT808 (TS808)Gain 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2reverbSun PlateMix 3 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for a punchy attack.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance the grit and clarity of the riff.
- 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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III 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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III for Highway to Hell?
Use the Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead) (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, followed by T808 (TS808), Sun Plate, Noise Gate.
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?
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 Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- One · Metallica
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.