TONEDB

lead guitar from “you shook me all night long” by ac/dc | ToneDB

you shook me all night long

ac/dc

lead guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A searing, dynamic, and articulate lead tone with signature Marshall crunch and upper-midrange bite, driven hard but without excessive saturation. The sound is raw, powerful, and cuts through the mix effortlessly.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson SG (likely a 1960s or early 1970s model with stock humbuckers)

Amp: Marshall JMP 2203 (100W Master Volume) or Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (100W Non-Master Volume)

Microphone: Neumann U67 or U87, possibly blended with a Shure SM57 or Sennheiser MD 421

Processing: Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) wireless unit (used for its preamp boost and subtle compression/expansion)

Other: Amp settings: Treble high (7-9), Mids around 5-7, Bass lower (2-4), Presence high (6-8). Volume (Pre-Amp gain on JMP, or channel volume on Plexi) cranked for power tube saturation. The SVDS unit was a crucial, always-on part of the signal chain, significantly shaping the gain structure and frequency response before hitting the amp.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas, with producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and engineer Tony Platt.
  • The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) was integral to Angus Young's tone during this period, providing a clean boost and unique compression characteristics.
  • Marshalls were cranked to achieve natural power-amp distortion. The specific amp heads used were likely early 70s JMP 50W or 100W models, or late 60s/early 70s Super Leads.
  • Minimal to no pedals were used apart from the SVDS's inherent signal conditioning.
  • Angus Young's aggressive picking dynamics and use of light gauge strings (often Ernie Ball .009-.042) contributed significantly to the tone's attack and brightness.
  • Multiple microphones were likely used on the speaker cabinet(s) (Marshall 4x12s with Celestion G12M Greenbacks or G12-65 speakers) and blended for the final sound.
  • The guitar's volume and tone knobs were actively used to shape the sound dynamically.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Gibson SG or a similar mahogany body guitar with PAF-style humbuckers.
  • A Marshall Plexi, JMP, or early JCM800 (2203/2204) style amplifier is crucial. Crank the master volume (if available) and preamp gain, or just the channel volume on a non-master amp.
  • If you don't have an SVDS replica, use a high-quality clean boost pedal (like an Xotic EP Booster or a SoloDallas Schaffer Replica pedal) early in your chain to simulate its effect. A very subtle optical compressor can also help.
  • Keep other effects minimal. A touch of room reverb might have been added in the mix, but the core tone is dry.
  • Focus on your picking attack; Angus played with a lot of force and precision.
  • Experiment with mic placement if using a real amp. A common starting point is an SM57 slightly off-center of the speaker cone, possibly blended with a ribbon mic or a condenser.
  • Don't overdo the gain; much of the AC/DC 'crunch' comes from volume and power tube saturation, not preamp fizz.

Sources