rhythm guitar from “dirty deeds done dirt cheap” by ac/dc | ToneDB
dirty deeds done dirt cheap
ac/dc
rhythm guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A raw and powerful rock rhythm guitar sound with a slightly overdriven character and a biting high end. The tone is crunchy and aggressive, fitting the song's high-energy vibe.
Gear
- Gibson SGinstrument
- Reverb$1421Sweetwater
- Marshall JTM45amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
AC/DC's rhythm guitar tone on "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" was recorded at Albert Studios in Sydney, with Malcolm Young likely using a Gibson SG through a Marshall JTM45 amp. The song was produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, with Mark Opitz engineering. The signature crunch came from pushing the JTM45 into natural tube overdrive rather than using distortion pedals, captured with a close-mic'd Shure SM57.
Production Credits
Producer: Harry Vanda, George Young
Engineer: Mark Opitz
Recorded at: Albert Studios, Sydney, Australia
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson SG
Amp: Marshall JTM45
Microphone: Shure SM57
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Gibson SG and a Marshall JTM45 amp.
- Dial in a moderate amount of overdrive on the amp, enough to get a crunchy rhythm tone without excessive distortion.
- Use a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone and adjust its position to capture the desired balance of brightness and body.
- In the mix, use subtractive EQ to remove any muddiness or harsh frequencies, focusing on clarity and punch in the midrange.
Original Gear
- Gibson SG(guitar)
- Marshall JTM45(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Marshall JTM45
Captures the JTM45's plexi-style overdrive character at bedroom volumes with power scaling, perfect for that natural tube crunch
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Gibson SG
Delivers the SG's characteristic humbucker bite and sustain at a fraction of the Gibson price
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JTM45
Accurately models the JTM45/Plexi family's preamp saturation and power tube compression for home recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Gibson SG
The authentic mahogany body and humbucker combination that defined Malcolm's rhythm tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Marshall JTM45
Provides Marshall-style amp overdrive character that can push any clean amp into JTM45 territory
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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