🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get AC/DC's guitar tone

AC/DC across 12 famous tones — mostly through Marshall, 100-watt Marshall Super Lead, Marshall Super Bass 100, Late-’70s Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M greenback speakers, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 5.5 · bass 5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6 · presence 5 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get AC/DC's tones on YOUR rig — free →

AC/DC's go-to amps

Marshall ×4100-watt Marshall Super Lead ×3Marshall Super Bass 100 ×1Late-’70s Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M greenback speakers ×1

12 famous AC/DC tones

T.N.T.
gain 6.5 · bass 4.5 · mid 5.5 · treble 5.5
Flick of the Switch
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7
Rock 'N' Roll Damnation
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7
Hells Bells
gain 5.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6
Back in Black
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 5.5
Highway to Hell
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 5.5
Thunderstruck
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 6
Back in Black
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 7 · treble 6
Thunderstruck
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 7
You Shook Me All Night Long
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 7 · treble 6
Whole Lotta Rosie
gain 5 · bass 5 · mid 7 · treble 6
Thunderstruck
gain 4.5 · bass 5 · mid 6.5 · treble 7

Hard Rock amp settings

AC/DC is a hard rock staple. See the best amp settings for hard rock — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

Led ZeppelinAerosmithDeep PurpleŞebnem FerahAlter BridgeRoyal BloodWolfmotherThe Pretty Reckless

How to get AC/DC's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does AC/DC use?

Averaged across 12 of their tones: gain 5.5, bass 5, mid 6.5, treble 6, presence 5 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like AC/DC?

They favour Marshall, 100-watt Marshall Super Lead, Marshall Super Bass 100, Late-’70s Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M greenback speakers with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get AC/DC's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Marshall, 100-watt Marshall Super Lead, Marshall Super Bass 100, Late-’70s Marshall 2203 JMP 100-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M greenback speakers and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 5.5, bass 5, mid 6.5, treble 6, presence 5 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 12 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get AC/DC's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.