Thunderstruck amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The AC/DC guitar tone for “Thunderstruck”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Gibson SG Standard 61. Studio version, The Razors Edge (1990)

Original rig

Angus: Gibson SG Standard into Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead (Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6). Malcolm: 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird into 1971 Marshall Super Bass 1992 (Presence 3, Bass 1, Mid 5, Treble 6, Volume 7) — no pedals.

Tight, grinding crunch with upper-mid bark and controlled low-end; power amp breakup, not preamp fizz

Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

CHANNELClassic Gain (Green)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Use the Classic Gain channel — NOT Ultra Gain — because the original tone comes from power tube saturation, not preamp distortion. The DSL40CR's Classic Gain channel approximates Plexi behavior. Bass is dropped to 3 (vs original 5) because the DSL has more low-end girth than a vintage Plexi; this keeps the tone tight and leaves room for the kick drum punch that defines the AC/DC sound. Push the master volume to 7 or higher to engage power section breakup.

PRO TIPThe intro's rapid-fire notes are all hammer-ons and pull-offs on the open B string with right-hand palm-muting the unused strings — no picking. Dig in hard with your fretting hand and mute aggressively with your picking hand to get that percussive attack without pick noise.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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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.