Riff Tone

Highway to Hell (Live)

AC/DC

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard

AmpMarshall 1959SLP Super Lead Plexi (with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock SG, late 1960s/early 1970s spec)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

boostSolodallas Solodallas The Schaffer Replica Classic

Notes

Live performance, late 2000s (e.g., River Plate 2009); Angus Young's rig is extremely consistent live and studio, but this is the live version. No evidence of additional effects or pedals except for the Schaffer Replica (wireless preamp/boost) in the signal chain.

Tone Character(10)

classic British crunchtight and percussiveopen and dynamicraw midrange bitearticulate power chordsminimal compressionpunchy attackslight breakup on hard pickingclear note separationno excessive gain

Difficulty

The riff requires solid timing, dynamic picking for the right crunch, and clean muting, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Amp Settings for Highway to Hell by AC/DC (album tone)Angus Young's guitars and gear: nail the AC/DC star's tone | Guitar World AC/DC Gear Guide - Sound like Angus & Malcolm Young - Both Expensive & Cheap Options AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Live At River Plate, December 2009)

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