Vox AC15C1 settings
Back in Black settings for Vox AC15C1
AC/DC · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Vox AC15C1, set Gain 4, Bass 0, Treble 0, Reverb 0, Tone cut 0, Reverb tone 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-11-07
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox AC15C1 knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 0
- Treble
- 0
- Reverb
- 0
- Tone cut
- 0
- Reverb tone
- 0
- Reverb level
- 0
- Master volume
- 7
- Normal volume
- 6
- Tremolo depth
- 0
- Tremolo speed
- 0
- Top boost bass
- 0
- Top boost treble
- 0
- Top boost volume
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on palm muting for tight, percussive attack.
- Use fingerstyle for dynamic control over the riff.
- Keep the picking hand relaxed for a more fluid motion.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox AC15C1 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 AC15C1 settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 4, Bass 0, Treble 0, Reverb 0, Tone cut 0, Reverb tone 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 Vox AC15C1
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Killing in the Name · Rage Against the Machine
- 1979 · The Smashing Pumpkins
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
- Alive · 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.