pickups for AC/DC

Re: pickups for AC/DC

Curt said:
Gibson Signature Angus Young humbucker. :friday:
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That's CRAZY talk man!!!!!!! But I have to agree with it as a #1 choice.
Good call !urt.

then the unpotted 59
DiMarzio PAF
then a regular 59
then a C5 turned down
then a PG
then maybe...a seth, maybe. depends on the amp.
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

Pink Unicorn Horsey said:
Wow! I didn't know a cranked Bassman sounds like that. Very cool. Thanks for posting it, James.

- Keith
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Bassman was the original circuit that Jim Marshall based his first amps on.

Another thing about Angus and Malcolm, they don't like the master volume Marshalls. A lot of their tone is pure power tOOb distortion.

Nothing screams Angus to me more than a Brobucker. How does your V sound? Is it a bright V or a darker sounding one? That would help.
 
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Re: pickups for AC/DC

Curt said:
and whats so wrong with that suggestion? seeing as he is looking for an AC/DC tone, and IIRC he's looking for Angus Young's tone. why not use a pickup designed for that tone?

and not as an excuse but i'm not much an AC/DC fan myself..:wall:
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I never said there was anything wrong with that suggestion. I actually agreed with it.

I think it's funny that it took so long. If this was a Fender site, and someone said they wanted Slash's guitar tone, there would be suggestions to get a custom short scale mahogonay/maple capped strat, with a set neck and stop tail bridge with custom buckers....... you get the idea.

I am pretty sure Angus' recorded tones are old, stock SGs, but I am no superfan. From the Youtube clips I have seen of the sig pickup, you should be able to get really close. Then all you need is a short cable and a cranked plexi or bassman type circuit. Pretty sure he's a greenback user as well.
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

I've read an interview with Malcolm where he said he very rarely gets his amps over 3 on the dial...his power comes from thick strings, a wound g string and playing hard with lots of open strings ringing out in his chords.

A friend who comes to our town with her band, and also plays in an AC/DC tribute band and met Angus, said he plays with a medium pick and picks very lightly on thin strings, so more of his oomf comes from the amp.
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

IMO:

Gibson 57 classic plus or SD '59 will nail that vintage Angus "recorded" tone. If you wanna sound like Angus' recordings, these pups will nail it.

SD C5 if you're trying to nail Angus' live tone. His live tone is alot ballsier and sounds way hotter than his recorded tone.

I've tried all 3 pups into my Marshall and all 3 pups can nail Angus' tone. IMO, it really boils down to which tone you're after becuz IMO, Angus really has 2 different (albeit similar) tones.
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

59's in an SG and a cranked Marshall will nail it!
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

Actually Aceman jogged my memory. Check out "Testing an Angus young Signature Pickup" on You Tube by 'Solo Dallas'. He's playing the pup in an SG through a Marshall 4 holer with Green Backs and it REALLY sounds good!
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

gripweed said:
Bassman was the original circuit that Jim Marshall based his first amps on.

Another thing about Angus and Malcolm, they don't like the master volume Marshalls. A lot of their tone is pure power tOOb distortion.

Nothing screams Angus to me more than a Brobucker. How does your V sound? Is it a bright V or a darker sounding one? That would help.
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Very True . . . i read this too in a very old GUITARIST interview !

They started, back in the day with JTM45's.
I'd love to have one ! But they are a bit steep these days !
However i did see that Celtic Amps make a JT45, if i am not mistaken !
On the other hand, TGWIF (forum member), does not seem to like the brand all that much - does he know something we do not ?



James
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

No doubt the amp plays a HUGE part (doesn't it always....). Kind of like Van Halen. Chasing little tweeky tonal nuances is not going to get you there. Not what the guy was about. Same with Angus. Plug it in, turn it on, and rock it out. Attitude is more important than anything.

I'd think an Epi g400 with stock pups into an old Valvestate on crunch would be as close as anything.
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

Yeah attitude, BIG part of the equation!:werd:
 
Re: pickups for AC/DC

Aceman said:
I'd think an Epi g400 with stock pups into an old Valvestate on crunch would be as close as anything.
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Not quite, but with a Custom 5 in there you've got it! ;)

One thing to mention:

AC/DC have had a few different tones. Never mind all the old jokes about them sounding the same all the time. Go put on "Go Down", then put on "Send For The Man" then put on "Big Jack".
They're all very different (to my ears anyway) tones.

The "Back In Black" riff is always my idea of an AC/DC tone - and, at bedroom or small band levels, the Custom 5 will get that.
 
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