Solo Tone

Shoot to Thrill (Live)

AC/DC

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s or late 1960s, as used by Angus Young live)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (live, multiple stacks, no master volume, cranked for power amp distortion)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock or vintage spec, not high output, likely T-Top or similar PAF-style)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostSchaffer Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (wireless with built-in boost/compander)

Notes

Live performance rig, not studio. Year: 1980s (Back in Black tour era, e.g., Houston Summit 1983). Angus Young uses no pedalboard, only a Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (with built-in boost/companding) between guitar and amp. No effects loop. No additional pedals. Tone is achieved by sheer volume and picking attack. No amp reverb or built-in effects.

Tone Character(10)

clear and biting lead tonestrong midrange presencetight and percussive attacksinging sustain on single notesdynamic response to pickingclassic British crunchbright and articulate highsminimal compressionno added effects or reverbraw and punchy

Difficulty

The solo requires fast, accurate pentatonic/blues runs, aggressive picking, and expressive bends/vibrato at tempo, making it challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

AC/DC guitar tech Trace Foster explains why Angus Young’s live sound requires no fewer than 12 Marshall stacks | MusicRadar Why AC/DC's Angus Young prefers Gibson SG guitars to Fenders | Guitar World Gear And Settings Used In AC/DC's Iconic 'Back in Black' | Ultimate Guitar

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