Marshall DSL15C settings
Back in Black settings for Marshall DSL15C
AC/DC · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Marshall DSL15C, set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 5, Presence 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 Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-08
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Marshall DSL15C knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 0
- Deep
- 1
- Tone shift
- 0
- Pentode triode
- 1
Playing tips
- Use a tight picking attack for a percussive sound.
- Focus on palm muting for added definition on lower strings.
- Experiment with dynamics; pick harder for more bite.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Marshall DSL15C 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 Marshall DSL15C settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 5, Presence 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 Squier Stratocaster. 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 Marshall DSL15C
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Walk · Pantera
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Rooster · Alice in Chains
- November Rain · Guns N' Roses
- Wherever I May Roam · Metallica
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome To The Jungle · Guns N' Roses
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.