HeadRush MX5 settings
Highway to Hell settings for HeadRush MX5
AC/DC · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Highway to Hell" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 68 Plexiglas 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
Adapted for a PRS S2 Custom 24-08 · updated 2026-10-09
- Amp model
- 68 Plexiglas
- 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
- 1overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 3 · Decay 4
- 3delayAnalog DelayMix 3 · Feedback 4
- 4noise gateNoise GateRelease 3 · Threshold 5
- 5compressionCompressorLevel 6 · Sustain 5
Playing tips
- Use a strong pick attack to emphasize the crunch and clarity of the riff.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to keep the aggressive energy of the riff.
- Focus on palm muting the lower strings for a tighter sound during the riff.
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 (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 HeadRush MX5 for Highway to Hell?
Use the 68 Plexiglas (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, followed by Green JRC-OD, Spring, Analog Delay, Noise Gate, Compressor.
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 S2 Custom 24-08. 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 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.