Riff Tone

Night Prowler

AC/DC

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGretsch G6131 Jet Firebird (modded, bridge pickup only, middle pickup removed, neck pickup disconnected)

AmpMarshall Super Bass 100 (Plexi, model 1959 or 1992, late 1970s spec)

PickupsGretsch Filter'Tron humbucker (bridge position, only active pickup)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass4.5

mid5

treble6.5

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Highway to Hell' album (1979). Rhythm guitar by Malcolm Young. No pedals in signal chain; amp set clean to edge-of-breakup. Guitar tuned down half-step (Eb standard).

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveraw and punchymid-focusedclear and articulatetouch-sensitive breakupwarm but not muddydynamic response to pickingclassic Marshall crunchuncluttered and directslightly gritty edge

Difficulty

While the riff is not technically complex, it demands precise timing, dynamic control, and a solid groove to capture Malcolm Young's signature punch and clarity.

Sources

Malcolm Young's guitar gear: how the AC/DC rhythm machine perfected high-voltage rock 'n' roll tone | Guitar World Angus Young's guitars and gear: nail the AC/DC star's tone | Guitar World Rhythm Is King: Malcolm Young’s Rock-Solid Riffage - Premier Guitar

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