Harley Benton HB-40R settings
Back in Black settings for Harley Benton HB-40R
AC/DC · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Harley Benton HB-40R, set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 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 Harley Benton DC-580 CH Vintage Series · updated 2026-10-19
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Harley Benton HB-40R knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Reverb
- 0
Playing tips
- Use a tight picking attack for a percussive sound.
- Focus on palm muting for added clarity in the riff.
- Experiment with dynamics by varying your picking strength.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Harley Benton HB-40R 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 Harley Benton HB-40R settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 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 Harley Benton DC-580 CH Vintage Series. 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 Harley Benton HB-40R
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Wherever I May Roam · Metallica
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- For Whom the Bell Tolls · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · 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.