Author Topic: AC/DC's tone (Read 8778 times)

Twinfan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2007, 12:42:09 PM »

One of the biggest 'DC bands in the UK (Dirty 'DC) use modded JCM800s. I presume they're backwards modded to sound more like a Plexi. I don't know why they didn't get JMP Master Volumes...

indysmith · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2007, 02:32:06 PM »

found some good jcm800 acdc settings today whilst playing around - this combo has terrible speakers in it though, so i'm having to use slightly higher preamp volume than i'd like to thicken it up.

Checkit:

Preamp:8
Master:10
Treb:10
Mid:10
Bass:5
Pres:5

(btw these settings are out of 10 - not clockface based.)

Tellboy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:19:11 PM »

According to this link they use Wizard amps as well. (look under Artists)

http://www.wizardamplification.com/index.htm

Thank ***k for that 8) . I started this thread after listening to a clip of the Wizard Modern Classic..... http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8520 ....and apart from Beatle, nobody else seemed to like it - gave me a real complex

. Still if it's good enough for Angus and Malcolm......

jt · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:26:01 PM »

:D "Powerage" for me is were Angus & Malcolm got there best ever sounds & the songs are absolutely killer as well. "Gone Shoot`n" is one of my fav tracks of all time, check it out

:D 8)

Twinfan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:31:42 PM »

We do virtually all of Powerage live - a cracking album :D

Ratrod · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2007, 04:18:14 PM »

Powerage is still my favorite AC/DC album. After that, Back In Black.

But I still think the song Night Prowler is Mal's best moment.

99_not_out · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2007, 05:36:06 PM »

Ahhh, the DC tone ... for me its the bit in the middle of Down Payment Blues where it cuts to just Mal on rhythmn hammering that B/E riff out. Low gain but soooooooooooo heavy.

For Angus, live at the MK bowl in '91 ... brought a tear to the eye it sounded that good. His tone is basically superb on all DC records, its hard to pick one out as a prime example!

Who needs fancy FX eh?

BTW, Dirty DC are playing in St. Albans at 'The Horn' this Saturday (23rd) if anyone is near enough to make it. Seen them there 4 or 5 times, and they are f*****g ace. Something about low ceilings, a floor coverd in smashed glass, beer and fag butts that really brings out the best in DC's music :) That and the fact that its a small venue and the PA is F'ing loud. Seriously ear destroyingly loud.

_tom_ · « **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2007, 06:19:36 PM »

Thought I might as well record my attempt at getting an acdc style crunch out my my Laney earlier, still cant get that close, it doesnt have that raw sound. I think it needs slightly more gain (had the master on about 2 and pregain on 5) and a bit less bass. Perhaps pushing it with a treble booster would help, or would that just make it too harsh?

http://download.yousendit.com/78F6C38A14913B44

Twinfan · « **Reply #23 on:** June 20, 2007, 07:49:10 PM »

I reckon it's your speakers Tom. You won't get the right "bite" out of G12Hs. Chewy bass and mids yes, but top end bite no. 'DC tone is all about clarity and a decent amount of smooth treble.

Woogie · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2007, 08:09:40 PM »

What about an X pattern of G12T75's and Greenbacks?

TomW · « **Reply #25 on:** June 20, 2007, 08:13:41 PM »

Powerage is definately my favourite AC/DC album but their best tone is on the If you want blood live album IMO, I would kill for a tone as good as that. :twisted:

_tom_ · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2007, 08:16:06 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

I reckon it's your speakers Tom. You won't get the right "bite" out of G12Hs. Chewy bass and mids yes, but top end bite no. 'DC tone is all about clarity and a decent amount of smooth treble.

According to wikipedia:

"Speaker cabinets he has used have been Marshall 4x12"s (model 1982 and 1960, mostly B models) with Celestion G12H 30 watt (on old recordings), Vintage 30s (on newer recordings) and G12M 25 watt speakers (on solos/overdubs on newer recordings). Malcolm has used Mesa Boogie Cabs before as seen on AC/DC's 1992 live album, Live."

I like both the new and older tones.. hmm maybe I should get a V30 to go with my G12H after all..

hunter · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2007, 08:44:20 PM »

I think the secret to their sound is a certain kind of amp and a lot of volume.

You need an amp with a very open sound, that doesn't have lots of preamp gain or sustain and is pushing back quite a lot, making it hard to play almost at low volume. Now if you crank this Plexi or whatever, the saturated power amp will smoothen things out and sustain and screaming tones will come to live.

I think you have to set a gain level that feels not quite enough at low volume and then crank the beast up, pushing the power tubes and the speakers, then go for a hard pick and wide vibrato and you'll be there.

Woogie · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2007, 08:45:26 PM »

Face the amp against the wall and crankkkkkkkk it.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2007, 09:01:03 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

I reckon it's your speakers Tom. You won't get the right "bite" out of G12Hs. Chewy bass and mids yes, but top end bite no. 'DC tone is all about clarity and a decent amount of smooth treble.

I always thought that 'DC used G12H-30s in the old days - always sounds closer to their tone than G12Ms when I've used 'em both.

:twisted: