Solo Tone

Rock 'N' Roll Damnation

AC/DC

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (mid-1960s, likely 1967-1968)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (Plexi, 100-watt, late 60s/early 70s, likely JMP era)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 60s spec)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostSchaffer-Vega (or SoloDallas for replica) Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless preamp coloration/boost, or modern equivalent: SoloDallas Schaffer Replica)

Notes

Studio recording, 1978. Angus Young's signal path was extremely simple: Gibson SG into Marshall Super Lead, possibly with a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (acting as a preamp/boost). No effects pedals used except for the wireless preamp coloration. No evidence of time-based or modulation effects on the solo. No amp reverb or delay. All sources confirm minimal/no pedal use in studio. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre.

Tone Character(10)

vicious crunchhard-edgedbright and articulatetight, punchy attacksinging sustaindynamic, touch-sensitiveBritish crunchnot clean, it's nastymidrange biteclassic rock lead tone

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate lead technique, including fast pentatonic licks, expressive bends, and dynamic picking, but does not involve advanced shred or complex timing.

Sources

Angus Young's guitars and gear: nail the AC/DC star's tone | Guitar World The sound of his guitar is everything rolled into one. It's ...

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