Get this tone on your gear
Choose your guitar and amp to get exact knob settings.
The recording
The Back in Black sessions at Compass Point Studios emphasized a live-tracking approach to capture the band's natural chemistry, with producer Mutt Lange and engineer Tony Platt aiming for an immediate, high-fidelity sound. Angus Young provided the lead and rhythm parts, while Malcolm Young anchored the record with his rhythmic intensity, tracked separately to ensure clarity. Avoiding artificial effects, the pair relied on their signature instruments and varied Marshall stacks, carefully positioned with multiple microphones to spread the sonic image. This setup, combined with the band's precise, clean-amplified playing, created the album's iconic, punchy, and articulate rock guitar character.
Tuning Standard
Signal chain
Original gear
Gibson SG Standard
Guitar · Angus Young · Riff & solo
Angus Young used this guitar for all rhythm and solo parts, with the solo portions specifically processed through a Schaffer-Vega transmitter.
Schaffer-Vega Diversity System
Multi FX · Angus Young · Solo
This wireless unit provided a preamp, compression, and boost that Angus utilized specifically for overdubbed solos to add sustain and mid-range bite.
Marshall Super Lead/JTM50/Super Bass amps
Amp · Angus and Malcolm Young · Riff & solo
Engineer Tony Platt utilized varied 50-watt and 100-watt Marshall heads for different songs, adjusting them to the specific timbre required rather than using a single, static amplifier chain.
Gretsch Jet Firebird guitar
Guitar · Malcolm Young · Riff
Malcolm Young used his primary Gretsch rhythm guitar for all rhythm tracking, which was captured clean without additional processing or effects.
Marshall 4x12 cabinets
Cabinet · Angus and Malcolm Young · Riff & solo
Specific sloped and straight-front Marshall 4x12 cabinets were chosen song-by-song to achieve the desired bass response and cabinet-breakup characteristics.
Alternatives
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Keep your right-hand rhythm arm locked into a tight, consistent eighth-note or sixteenth-note chug.
- 2.Use bridge pickups with medium output to retain note clarity during aggressive open chords.
- 3.Apply minimal effects and rely on natural amp breakup for maximum punch.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Back in Black guitar tone?
The available research points to Gibson SG Standard into Marshall Super Lead/JTM50/Super Bass amps. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Back in Black amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Back in Black in?
The current research record lists Standard. ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Back in Black tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
