Vox Valvetronix VT40X settings
Highway to Hell settings for Vox Valvetronix VT40X
AC/DC · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Highway to Hell" riff tone on a Vox Valvetronix VT40X, select the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Bias shift 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-09-06
- Preset / mode
- Brit 800
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox Valvetronix VT40X knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Bias shift
- 1
- Power level
- 8
- Class selector
- 1
Playing tips
- Use palm muting for a tighter sound on the lower strings.
- Keep your picking hand relaxed for a more aggressive attack.
- Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm to capture the driving energy of the riff.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox Valvetronix VT40X 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 preset should I use on the Vox Valvetronix VT40X for Highway to Hell?
Start from the Brit 800 preset, then set Gain 6, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Reverb 0, Bias shift 1.
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 HSS Stratocaster. 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 Vox Valvetronix VT40X
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) · The Cure
- Walk · Pantera
- The Chain · Fleetwood Mac
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Take It Easy · Eagles
- Teenage Dirtbag · Wheatus
- Johnny B. Goode · Chuck Berry
- Paranoid Android · Radiohead
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.