Highway to Hell amp settings — Marshall Code 50

The AC/DC guitar tone for “Highway to Hell”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Squier Stratocaster. Studio version, Highway to Hell (1979)

Original rig

1970s Marshall 1959 100W Super Lead (Plexi), jumpered High Treble + Normal inputs, cranked for power amp saturation. Early 1970s Gibson SG Standard with stock T-Top humbuckers (bridge pickup). Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless (adds subtle compression/boost). Tuned to Eb standard.

Cranked Marshall power-amp crunch, mid-forward growl, dynamic and responsive, NOT heavily distorted — clarity on open chords with pick attack bite

Amp settings — Marshall Code 50

CHANNELPlexi amp model with Classic Marshall 100W power ampBRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Marshall Code 50? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME7

Why these settings

Your Squier Strat single coils are brighter and lower output than Angus's SG humbuckers. Dropped treble from 6-7 to 5 to cut the extra high-end ice-pick. Raised mid +1 to compensate for the Strat's natural mid-scoop vs the SG's thick midrange. Volume knob at 7 mimics Angus's rhythm technique of rolling back for chord work — push to 10 for leads. Gain stays modest at 6; AC/DC's tone is NOT high-gain, it's power-amp saturation.

PRO TIPRoll your Strat's tone knob to 8 to tame single-coil brightness and get closer to humbucker warmth — for solos, push both volume and tone to 10 and dig in harder with your pick for that Angus attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Marshall Code 50

Sea Of LiesSymphony X WalkPantera HollowPantera Nothing Else MattersMetallica BlackenedMetallica Billie JeanMichael Jackson

Find your amp

Browse

Marshall Code 50 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Highway to Hell on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP AC/DC tonesALL SONGS Squier Stratocaster tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.