Solo Tone

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)

AC/DC

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1973, as used by Angus Young in studio)

AmpMarshall Super Bass 100 (Plexi, early 1970s, studio recording)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, likely patent sticker T-Top humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb0

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1975 (T.N.T./High Voltage sessions). Angus Young played the solo. No evidence of pedals or effects used for clean sections; amp set for natural breakup, but for clean parts, guitar volume rolled down. Pickup selector likely on bridge for solo, but for clean sections, may use neck or rolled-back bridge. No evidence of reverb or other effects in studio.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulateclear and percussive attackdynamic and touch-sensitiveraw and directuncompressedslightly mid-forwardminimal breakupno audible reverb or delaytight low endopen and unprocessed

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate skill due to its need for dynamic control, clean articulation, and rhythmic precision, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed.

Sources

Amp Settings for It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) by AC/DC (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Malcolm Young's guitar gear: how the AC/DC rhythm machine perfected high-voltage rock 'n' roll tone | Guitar World how can i get a tone close to AC DC tone - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar

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