HeadRush MX5 settings
Back in Black settings for HeadRush MX5
AC/DC · adapted 7 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 68 Plexiglas amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 4, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gretsch Electromatic (General Series) · updated 2026-11-09
- Amp model
- 68 Plexiglas
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 4
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 4
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 2 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 3 · Decay 3
- 3compressionCompressorLevel 5 · Ratio 4 · Attack 5 · Release 5
Playing tips
- Focus on a tight picking attack to achieve the percussive feel.
- Use palm muting on the lower strings for added punch and clarity.
- Experiment with dynamics; pick harder for more aggressive sections.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 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 HeadRush MX5 for Back in Black?
Use the 68 Plexiglas (crunch channel) with Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 4, Presence 5, followed by Green JRC-OD, Spring, Compressor.
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 Gretsch Electromatic (General 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 HeadRush MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
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.