Vox VT20+ settings
Back in Black settings for Vox VT20+
AC/DC · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Vox VT20+, select the UK Rock Standard preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 5, Tap tempo 0, Power level 8. 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 2026-09-26
- Preset / mode
- UK Rock Standard
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox VT20+ knobs
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 5
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Power level
- 8
- Noise reduction
- 1
Playing tips
- Use a tight picking attack for percussive notes.
- Palm mute for a chunkier sound on the lower strings.
- Focus on dynamic playing to capture the touch-sensitive response.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s · updated 2026-07-21
- Preset / mode
- UK Rock Special
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Vox VT20+ knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
- Tap tempo
- 0
- Power level
- 9
- Noise reduction
- 2
Playing tips
- Focus on aggressive picking to enhance the midrange growl.
- Use palm muting for tight and percussive notes.
- Experiment with dynamics to achieve singing sustain.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Vox VT20+ 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 Vox VT20+ for Back in Black?
Start from the UK Rock Standard preset, then set Gain 4, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 5, Tap tempo 0, Power level 8.
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 Vox VT20+
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Layla · Derek & The Dominos
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Floods · Pantera
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.