Highway to Hell amp settings — Cort Cm15r

The AC/DC guitar tone for “Highway to Hell”, dialed in for a Cort Cm15r with a Cort G110. Studio version, Highway to Hell album (1979), Roundhouse Studios London, produced by Mutt Lange

Original rig

1968 Gibson SG Standard with T-Top humbuckers → Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W Plexi (non-master-volume, cranked), Celestion G12-65 speakers, Schaffer-Vega wireless adding subtle preamp boost

Crunchy, mid-forward British rock grind with tight low end and aggressive pick attack

Amp settings — Cort Cm15r

CHANNELOverdrive (if available) or single channel with gain pushed

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	3
Mid	7
Treble	5
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME6

Signal chain

01Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive or Tube Screamer clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for achieving Plexi-style crunch on a solid-state practice amp. The CM15R's gain alone will sound fizzy; a TS-style pedal adds the midrange push and compression that mimics power tube saturation.

Drive 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7

Why these settings

The Cort CM15R is a 15W solid-state practice amp—it cannot replicate cranked Plexi power tube saturation at any setting. I pushed mids to 7 (vs the Plexi's 6) because small solid-state amps are naturally scooped and need compensation. Bass dropped to 3 (original was 4) because the CM15R's small speaker flubs out with too much low end. Treble cut to 5 (original was 6) because solid-state highs are harsher than tube warmth. Without an overdrive pedal, you will get a buzzy approximation at best.

PRO TIPAngus controlled his dynamics entirely with his guitar volume knob—rolled back to 5-6 for rhythm parts, cranked to 10 for solos. Practice this technique: keep the amp settings static and use your volume knob to shift from rhythm crunch to lead bite. This is 80% of his sound.

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These settings are for a Cort Cm15r. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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