Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

[No effects]

As my username implies, for the sake of "clean" tone and simplicity in live situations, I don't use any effects. I use the volume pot on my guitar to go from rhythm to lead, or I’ll switch between pick-ups. Angus and Malcolm Young inspired not only this approach but also guided me in recent gear choices. I have a Les Paul Standard equipped with a set of Duncan 59’s and a Marshall 1987x (50w plexi re-issue), which I attenuate and run around 3 into a homemade 4x10 cabinet (soon to be a Marshall 1960 AV 4x12). Note that 3 on this amp is full volume and offers all the power tube distortion you need for an AC/DC sound.

The results: I recently gigged with this set-up and really enjoyed “the power” of Marshall. The bridge 59 was awesome for rhythm but not for leads, as it lacked the punch and sustain I wanted (the neck 59 actually cut through better). On the flip side, the neck 59 is very bassy, which I think is due to the LP and the cranked Marshall under attenuation, and it’s hard to use for 6-string barre chords (the big E string is all bass).

What do you guys think of this as a solution? I’m going to put a JB in the bridge in hopes that it will give me articulate/clean rhythm tones with the guitar volume rolled back and Angus type leads with full pick-up volume. As for the neck, I am seriously considering a Jazz SH-2 to get some highs back, which of course can be rolled off as needed. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

As my username implies, for the sake of "clean" tone and simplicity in live situations, I don't use any effects. I use the volume pot on my guitar to go from rhythm to lead, or I’ll switch between pick-ups. Angus and Malcolm Young inspired not only this approach but also guided me in recent gear choices. I have a Les Paul Standard equipped with a set of Duncan 59’s and a Marshall 1987x (50w plexi re-issue), which I attenuate and run around 3 into a homemade 4x10 cabinet. Note that 3 on this amp is full volume and offers all the power tube distortion you need for an AC/DC sound.

The results: I recently gigged with this set-up and really enjoyed “the power” of Marshall. The bridge 59 was awesome for rhythm but not for leads, as it lacked the punch and sustain I wanted (the neck 59 actually cut through better). On the flip side, the neck 59 is very bassy, which I think is due to the LP and the cranked Marshall under attenuation, and it’s hard to use for 6-string barre chords (the big E string is all bass).

What do you guys think of this as a solution? I’m going to put a JB in the bridge in hopes that it will give me articulate/clean rhythm tones with the guitar volume rolled back and Angus type leads with full pick-up volume. As for the neck, I am seriously considering a Jazz SH-2 to get some highs back, which of course can be rolled off as needed. Any help is appreciated.

The '59 N is very bassy in some rock and roll guitars....that's why the Jazz neck was invented. Very similar to the 59N but the highs are more extended and a tad less bass.

However, the Duncan pickups closest to what Angus used for all of the classic AC/DC recordings are what you already have: a set of alnico 5 Duncan 59's...tho his Gibson alnico 5 HB's in his early 60's SG would sound thinner and not as bassy and lower midrangey as in your thicker and heavier single cutaway Les Paul.

However, switching your bridge 59 for a JB might let you turn down the volume and bass on your amp a little for a clearer tone. That might help your neck 59 sound clearer and less bassy to you.

Getting a Les Paul to sound like a SG is not really easy: the Les Paul has alot thicker and deeper tone.

I'd think a set of Jazz N and Jazz B pickups might do it...Jolly gets a great rock tone with that set in his Les Paul.

Lew

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

You may want to look at a Demon for the bridge. Mine sounds alot fuller in my SG's than a '59 bridge did with smoother highs and awesome crunch. I've found the '59 neck to also be disappointing. Too much bass that over powers the highs. I'm gonna try a PG neck to see if this does the trick.

 

[RG 2570]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

this in the bridge http://www.gibsonstrings.com/pickups/young.shtml
and a 59 neck?

 

[No effects]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

Thanks Lew. I think part of the beauty of the non-master volume Marshalls is that you get a great lead tone by turning it up (in the base of this amp, passed 2), so turning volume down would obviously compromise this (also note that on the bridge, there is no lack of clarity whatsoever, even at higher volumes). That being said, even with my Marshall on 7, the 59b still lacks some (not much) of the sustain and rawness Angus seems to get from his rig (he uses the 100w plexis on stage and uses his bridge pup exclusively). This is why I considered a higher output pup for the bridge.

 

[No effects]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

Thanks for the other replies guys. I considered the Gibson Angus signature and although it is higher output, it is also much more expensive that the SD's. I don't know the Demon, but doesn't the output seems a little low (10k)?

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

Thanks for the other replies guys. I considered the Gibson Angus signature and although it is higher output, it is also much more expensive that the SD's. I don't know the Demon, but doesn't the output seems a little low (10k)?

The Demon in my SG X is a friggin monster. Lots of bite and chunk and very full. In my Gothic SG its a little to thin for my tastes which I'm in the process of fixing now with either a Full Shred or the trusty Distortion.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

I could be wrong, but later on didn't Angus use a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge?

 

[RG 2570]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

I could be wrong, but later on didn't Angus use a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge?

never!
:laugh2: he used stock gibsons for a long time then the rio grand BBQ then this gibson, i am a big fan of his

 

[flank]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

you probably want a C5/JAzz combo dude........ C5 is like a bigger sounding 59, more bass and sustain....a bit hotter

jazz will be similar to 59 neck, but less bass and better for chording

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

I've found that using the exact same gear (same amp, same speakers, same pickups, same guitar) as my heroes still doesn't mean I'll sound like them...we have all have our own unique touch and personality.

Sometimes using really differant gear from my heroes actually gets me closer to what I perceive as thier tone because my touch and picking attack and everything else about me is differant than say Jeff Beck or Stevie Ray or Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix or BB King or any of my own heroes.

But that said, Angus didn't use hot pickups for the classic recordings AC/DC are known for. Just 60's alnico 5 Gibson pickups...probably about 8.2K for both the neck and bridge pickup.

The JB, at 16.5K is way hotter. The Custom 5, Custom and Custom Custom at over 14K are also hotter. The Screamin Demon at over 10K is hotter.

And the 59B, at just over 9K, is also hotter than what Angus used....tho the 7.5K neck 59 is lower in output than the 8.2K (probably...) Gibsons he used!

I always think of the story Eddie Van Halen tells about Ted Nugent. Ted asked if he could try Eddie's gear and plugged Eddie's guitar into Eddie's old Plexi and started wailing.

EVH said he sounded just like Ted!

Touch, choice of notes and our personality and level of talent always make us sound just like us...regardless of what we're playing through.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

never!
:laugh2: he used stock gibsons for a long time then the rio grand BBQ then this gibson, i am a big fan of his

Hmmm. I wonder who I have him mixed up with....

 

[No effects]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

The JB is going in for now and I'll let my ears be the judge. The Young Bros' clean tone is a big reference point for what I'm after, but it's also as "distorted" a sound as I ever want to get (i.e., our band plays rock classics from the 50's through today, as well as more blues influenced numbers). I know I'm getting closer and if the JB doesn't do it for me, I'll take advantage of SD's return policy and keep trying - C5 and Jazz are next on the list. Thanks to all

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

The JB is going in for now and I'll let my ears be the judge. The Young Bros' clean tone is a big reference point for what I'm after, but it's also as "distorted" a sound as I ever want to get (i.e., our band plays rock classics from the 50's through today, as well as more blues influenced numbers). I know I'm getting closer and if the JB doesn't do it for me, I'll take advantage of SD's return policy and keep trying - C5 and Jazz are next on the list. Thanks to all

Try the Jazz and JB before you try the Jazz and C5. :wink: Both cool combo's though!

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

Getting a Les Paul to sound like a SG is not really easy: the Les Paul has alot thicker and deeper tone.

I think what Lew says here may be the key to it. An SG is a more mid-focused guitar than a Les Paul - this is what gives it its bite. Your pickups are close to Angus's, but your guitar sounds different. One solution you could try (assuming you're not going to buy an SG ) is to try Alnico 2 pickups in the LP. A2 pickups are more mid-focused than A5s - this will help your bridge pickup cut through and will also dampen the boomy effect of the neck pickup.

You could try a set of Seth Lovers, Antiquities or Pearly Gates.

EDIT - One other thing.........

It could just be the volume. Angus and Malcolm play LOUD without attenuation. That in itself is going to give them a BIG cutting tone! Angus's sustain has a lot to do with playing loud enough that the guitar is pushed to the edge of feedback. Next plan - Get some earplugs and turn that sucker up!

 

[Biu]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

I have an Angus Young pup, it's not too much different than a stock Gibson pup. I would definitely go Duncan on this one. And, like Lew said, just try to get the sound you like BEST, otherwise you'll be on a perpetual quest for "the tone". I used to get a lot of high output pickups because all my guitar heroes used them. It was a LONG time before I realized MY tone was in low to medium output pickups. Sometimes you just gotta put aside what everyone else thinks is good and go out on a limb to get what you want (look at me, I'm a DiMarzio fiend! ).

Hope everything works out!

 

[No effects]

Re: Getting closer to that AC/DC tone

As I said previously, I was quite satisfied with the rhythm tone of the 59 in bridge, I was just missing a little bit in the lead department. I'm hoping that the JB rolled back will give me something similar (and clear) to the 59 for rhythm and that leads will be a no brainer. If it's too much, maybe the C-5 is the answer, i.e., a slightly more aggressive 59.

As for the neck, I find the 59 too bassy and unusable as a rhythm pick-up with my rig (and taste) and it does sound as though the jazz would give me the top end and vintage clean I'm looking for on my Marshall). I'll try to figure out the bridge first, though.