What guitar did Angus Young use on Thunderstruck?

Angus Young used his signature Gibson SG Standard on "Thunderstruck." He's been exclusively loyal to Gibson SGs throughout his career, favoring their lightweight body and aggressive humbucker pickups for his lead work.

How to get AC/DC Thunderstruck guitar tone?

Start with a Gibson SG or similar humbucker-equipped guitar into a cranked Marshall-style amp. Focus on midrange frequencies, use moderate overdrive rather than heavy distortion, and keep the tone controls fairly balanced with a slight treble boost for bite.

What amp did AC/DC use on Thunderstruck?

AC/DC used Marshall amplifiers during the Razors Edge sessions when "Thunderstruck" was recorded. While the exact model isn't definitively confirmed, Angus Young has historically favored Marshall Super Lead and JTM45-style heads for his signature sound.

What pickups are in Angus Young's SG?

Angus Young typically uses Gibson humbuckers in his SGs, often the standard Gibson '57 Classic or similar PAF-style pickups. The exact specifications haven't been detailed in interviews, but he relies on traditional Gibson humbucker voicing for his tone.

lead guitar from "thunder" by acdc

thunder

acdc

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

Classic, raw, and powerful AC/DC lead guitar tone with a biting midrange and crunchy overdrive. Think stadium rock with a bluesy edge.

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Gibson SG(instrument)
Marshall JTM45(amp)
Neumann U67(microphone)

The Story

On AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," Angus Young used his signature Gibson SG Standard through a Marshall amp setup. The recording took place during the Razors Edge sessions, with the guitar sound featuring the characteristic Marshall crunch that became synonymous with AC/DC's stadium rock approach. The tone showcases Young's preference for cranked tube amps to achieve natural overdrive and sustain.

Production Credits

Producer: Harry Vanda

Engineer: Mark Opitz

Recorded at: Miraval Studios, France

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson SGShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall JTM45Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Gibson SG and dial in a moderately overdriven tone on a Marshall-style amp.
Focus on the midrange frequencies to get that signature AC/DC bite.
Experiment with different microphone positions to find the best balance of clarity and warmth.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone SG StandardShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Gibson SG Standard

Delivers the essential SG humbucker sound and sustain at a fraction of the cost, perfect for achieving Angus Young's bite

Marshall Studio Vintage SV20HShop on Reverb$1,100-$1,200

Alternative to: Marshall JTM45

20-watt plexi-style head captures the JTM45's tube saturation and midrange crunch at manageable volumes

Boss JB-2 Angry DriverShop on Reverb$150-$170

Alternative to: Marshall amplifier

Combines Blues Breaker and Angry Charlie circuits to push any amp into AC/DC-style Marshall territory

Neural DSP Fortin Cali SuitePlugin Boutique$120-$140

Alternative to: Marshall amp tone

Includes accurate plexi-style amp models that nail the vintage Marshall crunch heard on classic AC/DC records

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Neumann U67

Industry standard dynamic mic that captures the midrange punch and presence needed for AC/DC-style lead tones

Sources

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lead guitar from “thunder” by acdc | ToneDB