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Riff Tone

Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

AC/DC

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (Angus Young, 1970s-early 1980s spec, likely 1968-1970 model)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100W (Plexi, late 1970s/1980 spec, no master volume)

Amp Settings

gain5
bass5.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1980, Back in Black album. Rhythm section (riff) likely played by Angus Young on Gibson SG into Marshall Super Lead 1959. No pedals used for rhythm; tone is amp-driven. Malcolm Young used Gretsch Jet Firebird into Marshall 1959 Super Bass for rhythm, but this entry is for Angus's riff part. No evidence of effects loop or pedalboard for this section.

Tone Character(10)
classic British crunchbright and articulatetight, punchy rhythmdynamic, touch-sensitive responseslight edge-of-breakupopen, uncompressed feelmid-forward presenceminimal sustainpercussive attackno audible effects

Difficulty

The riff is technically straightforward but requires tight timing, dynamic picking, and precise muting to capture the classic AC/DC feel. The challenge is in the articulation and groove, not speed or complexity.

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