Solo Tone

Shoot to Thrill

AC/DC

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1970-1973, cherry red, stock electronics)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (Plexi, late 1960s/early 1970s, no master volume, run clean or edge-of-breakup)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, likely T-Top or late PAF style)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1980, Back in Black album. Angus Young used his main Gibson SG into a Marshall Super Lead head, typically with no pedals or effects except possibly a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (used as a preamp/boost). For clean sections, amp volume/gain would be rolled back. No evidence of pedals or additional effects for clean tone in studio. No reverb or delay is audible or documented for clean sections.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulateclear note separationtouch-sensitive dynamicsslightly edgy when picking hardno audible reverb or delayclassic Marshall clean with a hint of breakuptight and percussive attackopen and uncompressedno pedal colorationcrisp high end

Difficulty

The clean solo section requires intermediate skill due to its tempo, need for precise picking/muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation without distortion.

Sources

Angus Young's guitars and gear: nail the AC/DC star's tone | Guitar World Rig Rundown: AC/DC - Premier Guitar The greatest guitar albums of the ’80s: the rise of the next-gen guitar hero | Guitar World AC/DC – Back In Black - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album

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