Vintage Angus

[jonnymangia]

I had to write this thread after listening to some great 70's boots of AC/DC tearing it up with Bon. Angus' tone back then was just unreal. I cannot stand the way he sounds today b/c it seems like he finally discovered the gain knob on his Marshall and now dials in too much dirt. Plus his sig pickup with Gibson is way too hot.

Back then, everything was created by the volume and his hands, and what a damn good job he did of creating a huge sound that was articulate and warm. I started another thread about how I'm probably going to replace the pups in my SG again and when all is said and done, I might take it back to the '59 combo because I recall Lew stating in some
prior threads that the '59's would be closest to nailing vintage Angus. Any other opinions are welcome.

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Vintage Angus

Just came back from watchin an acca dacca tribute band......they ROCKED!!!!!

All the songs sound better live and loud.

Off topic but thought yad like to know!!!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vintage Angus

I personally think 59s are a little too mid deficient (or rather lack prominence) and sweet for that "Angus" sound.

old Gibson A5s tend to have a little bit more mids..whether it's from the early 80s, 70s, or 60s. I don't know if they are wound a teeny bit hotter or what, but to my ears they tend to be a little thicker and raunchier sounding.

But yes, I guess 59s would be closest in the Duncan production lineup.

I'd be inclined to have Zhang wind me something.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Vintage Angus

I personally think 59s are a little too mid deficient (or rather lack prominence) and sweet for that "Angus" sound.

old Gibson A5s tend to have a little bit more mids..whether it's from the early 80s, 70s, or 60s. I don't know if they are wound a teeny bit hotter or what, but to my ears they tend to be a little thicker and raunchier sounding.

But yes, I guess 59s would be closest in the Duncan production lineup.

I'd be inclined to have Zhang wind me something.

Jeff who is "Zhang"?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vintage Angus

I get the feeling that Angus uses an overwound bridge pickup...The BroBucker has been amazing in my SG since day 1....Best pickup to date that I've put into this guitar!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vintage Angus

Jeff who is "Zhang"?

Zhanglquin (spelling may be wrong..forum member here...does some pup winding, and is apparently quite good at it)

 

[ErikH]

Re: Vintage Angus

I'd be more inclined to look at the Seth Lover or go the Custom Shop route and get the Brobucker. The Brobucker nails the AC/DC tone. His higher gain today is more attributed to the amps he's used/using than the pickups.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Vintage Angus

ZHANG IS ZHANGLIQUIN or DAVID
He winds some Amazing pups. I have his 10k and 7.9k A3 set and its gorgeous tone. I did 2 recordings with them, very nice sizzle in the top, with A2 style sponge.

I would go 10k for AC DC so you can slam an old Marshall without being modern.

I kinda like the Gibson Angus pup, still have mine, but you're right it can be too powerful and harsh.

Actually, I know someone on Universal who is on tour and he uses the ARDs that Angus has used so much, mixed with Marshalls as well. I rather like the sound. Modern take on the Plexi, loud without ear splitting. It's also easier on your hands, considering Plexi's don't saturate/gain up much without pedals or a Variac. Angus could maybe back off a tad, but he sounds great to me!

Zhang's pups or the Duncan 59's are a great choice. I think the C5 is good for their Malcolm rhythm tones, and if you don't mind A2's, get the Pearly Gates, they have nasty mids, total Marshall style!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vintage Angus

I'd be more inclined to look at the Seth Lover or go the Custom Shop route and get the Brobucker. The Brobucker nails the AC/DC tone. His higher gain today is more attributed to the amps he's used/using than the pickups.

Isn't he still using JTM 45s with Plexis? Didn't think he changed anything?Maybe a Wizard amp in the mix or two,or is that Malcolm?

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Vintage Angus

I wish i had bought a brobucker when i had a chance but oh well.... for vintage Angus i wouldn't think it would be that hard to find a vintage sounding PAF style humbucker... I would think a larger amount of the sound difference in his tone over the years is the different amps he had back in the 70's, I think he has reissues and modded stuff with him these days...

I love watching the video of them in Paris 1980..... and the cd's of that show from the Bon Fire Box Set are great! LIVE WIRE!!!!!!!! I also have a few bootleg cd's from 77-78 and they always sounded great!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Vintage Angus

Isn't he still using JTM 45s with Plexis? Didn't think he changed anything?Maybe a Wizard amp in the mix or two,or is that Malcolm?

He records with them still I think but I don't know if he still tours with them. For while in the late 80's in to the 90's he used Mesa Boogies. I *think* he's back to using some RI Marshalls.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Vintage Angus

Isn't he still using JTM 45s with Plexis? Didn't think he changed anything?Maybe a Wizard amp in the mix or two,or is that Malcolm?

Last rig set up i saw was maybe 10 years ago and Angus had reissue plexies and a JCM 900 in his amp rig

 

[Voxman]

Re: Vintage Angus

Confusing,i`v read several interviews from the 80`s that he used 50w jcm 800 in the studio and 100w live.single cabs for lead an double cabs for other stuff.
But obvious this was sometimes in the 80`s.
the Highway to hell albums is pure plexitone if you ask me.
When it comes to pickups he has told on the tv that he only uses stock.
But who knows
BTW i have never seen a mesa amp onstage any of the 4 gigs i`v been to. But,once again..who knows what`s backstage

 

[ErikH]

Re: Vintage Angus

Razor's Edge was pure Mesa. Someone posted the rig on here last year. I think the tour after that was also Mesa's. All the stuff on stage is there just for looks with a majority of it not even having any guts or speakers, just empty boxes.

 

[Voxman]

Re: Vintage Angus

Ok,i did`nt know that! interesting
Actually i saw 2 shows i 1991,i guess iwas to young to pay attention to that back then.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vintage Angus

Is this an EVH thread?????:eek13:


:chairfall

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vintage Angus

I heard that all of the classic AC/DC albums were actually recorded with an old dime store acoustic he glued a Dano lipstick tube on to.

This was fed into a Fuzz-faze which was plugged directly into a toaster.

Malcolm played strats into Solid State amps.

 

[Voxman]

Re: Vintage Angus

Is this an EVH thread?????:eek13:


:chairfall

ohhhh... off topic sorry
whats EVH?

 

[Voxman]

Re: Vintage Angus

I heard that all of the classic AC/DC albums were actually recorded with an old dime store acoustic he glued a Dano lipstick tube on to.

This was fed into a Fuzz-faze which was plugged directly into a toaster.

Malcolm played strats into Solid State amps.

yeah that`s it.....:fingersx:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vintage Angus

ohhhh... off topic sorry
whats EVH?

Eddie Van Halen.

This is starting to remind me of one of those "EVH" threads that pop up here all the time with all kinds of conflicting info

PS. Eddie used a Kort Les Paul with triple minis into a Fender Silverface champ for VH1. VH2 was the black B bender Tele.