Riff Tone
Shot in the Dark
AC/DC
Guitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (likely 1960s or 1970s, as used by Angus Young on studio recordings)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100W (Plexi, vintage, likely late 1960s/early 1970s model, as per studio tradition)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, vintage output)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid7.5
treble7.5
reverb0.5
presence3.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2020 (album: Power Up). No evidence of pedals in the riff section; classic Angus Young setup: SG into Marshall Super Lead. No evidence of live/touring substitutions. Pickup and amp confirmed by multiple sources for studio use.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchybright and articulatemid-forward classic rock crunchopen and dynamicpercussive attackclear note separationedge-of-breakupno excessive gainclassic Marshall biteresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires solid timing, punchy attack, and clean muting, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (likely 1960s or 1970s, as used by Angus Young on studio recordings)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100W (Plexi, vintage, likely late 1960s/early 1970s model, as per studio tradition)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, vintage output)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid7.5
treble7.5
reverb0.5
presence3.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2020 (album: Power Up). No evidence of pedals in the riff section; classic Angus Young setup: SG into Marshall Super Lead. No evidence of live/touring substitutions. Pickup and amp confirmed by multiple sources for studio use.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchybright and articulatemid-forward classic rock crunchopen and dynamicpercussive attackclear note separationedge-of-breakupno excessive gainclassic Marshall biteresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires solid timing, punchy attack, and clean muting, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.
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