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Riff Tone

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

AC/DC

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1970-1973 model, used by Angus Young on studio recording)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (Plexi, non-master volume, cranked for natural overdrive, studio recording 1981)

Amp Settings

gain6
bass5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1981. Angus Young plugged straight into Marshall Super Lead 1959 head, no pedals. Wireless Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) used as a buffer/booster in the studio, but not a pedal. No effects loop, no pedals, no amp reverb or built-in effects. Pickup selector on bridge. No evidence of any pedals or effects on the riff section. All sources confirm a direct guitar-to-amp signal chain for the rhythm/riff part.

Tone Character(10)
raw and uncomplicatedcrunchy, overdriven roarbiting midrangeBritish crunchtight and percussiveedge-of-breakup crunchdirect and undiluted attacknatural tube overdriveclassic Marshall cruncharticulate and dynamic

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, precise timing, and dynamic pick attack to achieve the signature crunch and groove, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns.

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