What amp did AC/DC use on Back in Black?

Angus Young used 1970s Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W heads and Marshall JTM50 heads during the Back in Black sessions. These were non-master-volume amps with EQ controls set around noon (5) and volume maxed at 10.

How do I get the Back in Black tone on a budget amp?

On a modelling amp like a Boss Katana, use the Crunch or Brown channel. Set Gain around 4-5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 5. Add a clean boost or Tube Screamer-style pedal with low drive and high level to simulate the SVDS compression.

What is the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System?

The SVDS was Angus Young's wireless guitar system that provided 30dB+ of clean boost with built-in companding (compression/expansion). It's the secret ingredient behind AC/DC's recorded tone, adding percussive snap and harmonic richness.

What guitar did Angus Young play on Back in Black?

Angus played his 1971 Gibson SG Standard with stock T-Top humbuckers, using the bridge pickup position.

Classic Rock1980Back in Black

Back in Black Amp Settings

by AC/DC

Back in Black's crunchy, mid-forward Marshall tone is one of rock's most recognizable sounds. Angus Young achieved this with a 1970s Marshall Super Lead cranked to 10, combined with the secret ingredient: a Schaffer-Vega wireless system that adds 30dB of clean boost and compression.

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What Makes This Tone Iconic

The tone perfectly balances clarity and crunch. It's not a wall of distortion — you can hear every note in Angus's chords, but there's plenty of grit for his leads. The SVDS compression adds a percussive snap that makes the rhythm parts punch through the mix. This is the benchmark for classic hard rock crunch.

Key Tone Elements

Marshall plexi Super Lead with all controls at noon and volume dimed
SVDS wireless system providing 30dB+ clean boost with compression
Gibson SG with bridge humbucker (T-Top pickups)
Non-master-volume amp cranked for natural breakup
No pedal distortion — all amp and SVDS compression

Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Back in Black" by AC/DC

Original Gear

Guitar: 1971 Gibson SG Standard
Pickups: Stock Gibson T-Top humbuckers (bridge)
Amplifier: 1970s Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W / Marshall JTM50
Channel: High treble input, both channels jumpered
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: bridge
Strings: 0.009-0.042 (Ernie Ball Super Slinky)

Multiple Marshall heads used during sessions including plexi Super Leads and JTM50 with solid-state rectifier. Marshall 4x12 cabs with Celestion G12-65 speakers.

Amp Settings

Bass

5.0

Mid

5.0

Treble

5.0

Presence

5.0

Volume

10.0

Effects Chain

→

Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS)

wireless/compressor/boost

→

1.Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) — Provides 30dB+ clean boost with compression/expansion (companding). Secret ingredient of Angus's recorded tone.

Playing Technique

Medium-heavy pick attack with Fender Heavy picks. Wide vibrato on leads. Volume knob 5-6 for rhythm, 10 for solos. Tone at 10. Minimal palm muting.

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