Vox AC15 settings
Back in Black settings for Vox AC15
AC/DC · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Vox AC15, set Gain 4, Bass 4, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 0, Tone cut 4. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-09-05
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox AC15 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 0
- Tone cut
- 4
- Tremolo depth
- 0
- Tremolo speed
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on a tight, percussive attack to emulate the original riff.
- Use palm muting selectively for a punchy sound on the lower strings.
- Keep your picking hand relaxed for dynamic response.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox AC15 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 Vox AC15 settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 4, Bass 4, Treble 6, Presence 5, Reverb 0, Tone cut 4.
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 Fender Telecaster. 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 Vox AC15
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Take Me Out · Franz Ferdinand
- Creep · Radiohead
- Smoke on the Water · Deep Purple
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Even Flow · Pearl Jam
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.