Yamaha GA15II settings
Back in Black settings for Yamaha GA15II
AC/DC · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Yamaha GA15II, set Gain 5, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 4. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Yamaha ERG121 · updated 2026-11-11
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Yamaha GA15II knobs
- Gain
- 5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 4
Playing tips
- Use a strong pick attack for a tight, percussive sound.
- Palm mute the lower strings for added punch when needed.
- Focus on dynamic playing to capture the raw feel of the riff.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Yamaha GA15II 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 Yamaha GA15II settings for Back in Black?
Set Gain 5, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 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 Yamaha ERG121. 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 Yamaha GA15II
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Creep · Radiohead
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
- Wonderwall · Oasis
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Mr. Brightside · The Killers
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.