What guitar did Malcolm Young use on Moneytalks?

Malcolm Young used his Gibson SG on "Moneytalks." He was known for playing various Gibson SGs throughout his career, favoring them for their midrange punch and reliability in AC/DC's rhythm-heavy arrangements.

How to get AC/DC Moneytalks guitar tone?

Use a Gibson SG through a Marshall JTM45 set to moderate gain for natural tube crunch. Close-mic the amp with a Shure SM57 slightly off-axis from the speaker cone, then double-track the rhythm parts for thickness.

What amp did AC/DC use on The Razors Edge album?

AC/DC used Marshall JTM45 amplifiers on The Razors Edge sessions, which included "Moneytalks." This was part of their classic setup that helped define their signature crunch tone throughout their career.

Who produced AC/DC Moneytalks?

"Moneytalks" was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and engineered by Mike Fraser at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver. This team was responsible for several major rock albums in the late 80s and early 90s.

How did AC/DC record rhythm guitars in the studio?

AC/DC typically recorded rhythm guitars by close-miking their Marshall amps with Shure SM57 microphones, capturing the direct amp sound without effects. They would then double-track the rhythm parts to create a thick, powerful foundation for their songs.

rhythm guitar from "moneytalks" by ac/dc

moneytalks

ac/dc

rhythm guitar

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Tone Profile

The rhythm guitar tone is characterized by a raw, powerful crunch, providing the foundation for the song. It's a definitive hard rock sound with a clear, biting edge.

Shop This Rig

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Gibson SG(instrument)
Marshall JTM45(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)

The Story

The rhythm guitar on "Moneytalks" was recorded during AC/DC's The Razors Edge sessions at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver with producer Bruce Fairbairn and engineer Mike Fraser. Malcolm Young used his Gibson SG through a Marshall JTM45, close-miked with a Shure SM57. The tone captures AC/DC's signature approach of recording the amp directly without effects, then double-tracking the rhythm parts to create the thick, punchy foundation that drives the song.

Production Credits

Producer: Bruce Fairbairn

Engineer: Mike Fraser

Recorded at: Little Mountain Sound Studios, Vancouver

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson SGShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall JTM45Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Gibson SG with moderate output pickups.
Set the Marshall JTM45 to a moderate gain setting, enough to get a good crunch without excessive distortion.
Place a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone, slightly off-axis.
Double-track the guitar parts to thicken the sound.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone SG StandardShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Gibson SG

Delivers the SG's characteristic midrange punch and sustain that cuts through the mix for AC/DC-style rhythm work at a budget-friendly price

Marshall Studio Vintage SV20HShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Marshall JTM45

20-watt reissue of the JTM45 circuit that captures the same warm, crunchy breakup at more manageable volumes for recording

Universal Audio Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959Plugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Marshall JTM45

Accurately models the JTM45/Plexi family tone with the flexibility to double-track and blend multiple takes digitally

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$130

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for close-miking guitar amps

Sources

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rhythm guitar from “moneytalks” by ac/dc | ToneDB