Back in black amp settings — Fender Champion 20

The Ac/Dc guitar tone for “Back in black”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 20 with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. Studio album cut, Back in Black (1980) — main rhythm/riff tone

Original rig

1970/71 Gibson SG Standard into Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS preamp boost) into cranked Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W / JTM50 and Marshall 4x12 cabs

Biting, mid-forward British crunch with clear note definition and tight low end

Amp settings — Fender Champion 20

CHANNELBritish voice (Amber LED / '70s Marshall crunch)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	5
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Set the Voice selector on the Champion 20 to the British setting (Amber LED) to simulate a cranked '70s Marshall Plexi. The Champion 20 faceplate has no physical Mid or Presence controls, so push Treble to 7 for Angus's signature upper-mid cut and bite while keeping Bass at 5 to prevent the small 8-inch speaker from farting out on open chords. Keep reverb off for a completely dry, tight studio room punch.

PRO TIPAngus gets his percussive, biting attack from hitting power chords extremely hard with the broad shoulder of a heavy pick right next to the bridge saddles.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Champion 20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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