Highway to hell amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

The ACDC guitar tone for “Highway to hell”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a Epiphone SG Standard. Studio version, Highway to Hell (1979)

Original rig

1970/1971 Gibson SG Standard into cranked Marshall Super Lead 100W (1959 Plexi) and early master volume Marshall JMP heads, with Schaffer-Vega Diversity System preamp boost, Celestion Greenback 4x12 cab, straight in with no pedalboard effects

Raw, mid-forward British crunch with tight low-end and razor-sharp upper midrange bite

Amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

CHANNELHigh Sensitivity Input

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	6
Presence	5
Reverb	0
Master	6

Don’t have a Marshall JCM800 2203? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Your JCM800 2203 and Epiphone SG Standard are the ideal direct match for Angus's signature setup. The 2203 has more preamp focus than a non-master 1959 Super Lead, so set Preamp (Gain) around 6 to nail that open, uncompressed crunch without slipping into modern high-gain fizz. Keep Bass dialed back to 4 to ensure chord chops stay punchy and clear without flub.

PRO TIPAngus gets his percussive, biting attack by digging in hard with heavy pick dynamic near the bridge; strike the open-string chord stabs aggressively rather than relying on extra amp gain.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. 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 JCM800 2203

Master of PuppetsMetallica No ReasonSum 41 WalkPantera NobodyAvenged Sevenfold Farewell BalladBlack Label Society Basket caseGreen Day

Find your amp

Browse

Marshall JCM800 2203 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Highway to hell on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP ACDC tonesALL SONGS Epiphone SG Standard 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.