Riff Tone

Black Ice

AC/DC

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (likely 1968 or 1970s, as used by Angus Young)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 or Marshall 2203 JMP (studio, possibly Amplitube emulation per forum discussion)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock or vintage spec, bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2008 (Black Ice album). Some sources suggest parts of Black Ice were recorded using Amplitube amp simulation software, not a physical Marshall head. No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; AC/DC is known for a dry, straightforward amp tone. No evidence of Schaffer Replica or other boost/compression on this track's riff.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivedry and punchyhigh midrange emphasismoderate bass responsebright and articulate attackminimal ambiencedynamic and responsive to pick attackclear note separationclassic Marshall crunchuncompressed, natural decay

Difficulty

The riff relies on tight, percussive rhythm playing and dynamic pick attack, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Guitar tone change over the years | ACDCfans.net Black ice guitar Tone | ACDCfans.net

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