Line 6 Spider IV settings
Back in Black settings for Line 6 Spider IV
AC/DC · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Line 6 Spider IV, select the Crunch (Green) preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Boost 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-09-10
- Preset / mode
- Crunch (Green)
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Line 6 Spider IV knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Boost
- 0
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Noise gate
- 1
Playing tips
- Focus on palm muting for tight, percussive attack.
- Use dynamic picking to enhance articulation in chords.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to capture the raw, uncompressed feel.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Line 6 Spider IV 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 preset should I use on the Line 6 Spider IV for Back in Black?
Start from the Crunch (Green) preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Boost 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?
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 Line 6 Spider IV
- Walk · Pantera
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Nightmare · Avenged Sevenfold
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.