Angus Young is a legendary guitarist and songwriter best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of Australian rock powerhouse AC/DC. Since the band’s start in 1973, he has defined their sound with his hard-edged lead playing, expressive vibrato, and high-energy stage persona — complete with his trademark schoolboy uniform. Rolling Stone ranked him #96 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Below we take a closer look at gear and equipment often linked to Angus Young’s guitar rig over the years, based on interviews, live photos, and rig rundowns. While his setup can vary from tour to tour, these items reflect the guitars, amps, and accessories most commonly associated with his sound.
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Guitars
- Angus mainly plays Gibson SG guitars. He has some signature models made by Gibson including the ebony Angus Young SG and the Custom SG VOS.
- Jaydee Angus Young SG
- Fender Telecasters
- Gibson Firebird
- Gibson ES-335
- Gibson has also released Angus Young humbucker pickups, designed to capture some of his tonal character.
Amplifiers and Cabinets
- Young's amps have traditionally been Plexi Marshalls: JTM45s, JTM50s, JMP50s, and Superleads (plus a few Wizard amplifiers). His main amp is a JTM45, which he has used both live and in the studio.
- Marshall 4x12 Cabinets (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).
Fun Fact: Angus Young doesn’t rely on effects pedals. He famously plugs his SG straight into a Marshall amp!
Strings, Picks, and More
- Ernie Ball RPS-9 Slinky Nickel Wound strings
- Fender extra heavy picks
- Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) wireless unit (used in the late 1970s/early 1980s)
Tone and Playing Style
What makes Angus Young’s tone so distinctive is its simplicity and clarity. His SGs provide a biting midrange, while Marshall amps give him the crunchy, overdriven roar that defines AC/DC’s sound. He typically runs his amps loud, letting natural tube overdrive do the work, with almost no extra gear in the signal chain. Angus’s right-hand attack and use of wide vibrato are just as important as the gear itself.
Get the Sound
Want to capture a bit of Angus’s classic tone? Start with a Gibson SG (or a similar-style guitar), plug into a Marshall-style amp with plenty of headroom, and keep your signal path clean. Dial in crisp mids, avoid heavy distortion, and let your playing dynamics and vibrato do the talking. Simplicity is the key to Angus’s iconic crunch.
FAQ
What guitar does Angus Young play most often?
Angus is most closely associated with Gibson SG models, which have become his signature instrument for decades.
Did Angus Young ever use effects pedals?
No — Angus is famous for avoiding pedals. He prefers plugging straight into his amp, keeping his tone raw and pure.
What amp settings does Angus Young use?
While settings vary, he’s often seen with mids pushed up, treble fairly high, and gain from the natural amp volume rather than pedals. The magic is in running the Marshalls hot.
What strings and picks does Angus Young use?
He favors Ernie Ball RPS-9 Slinky strings and extra heavy picks, which help deliver his strong picking attack.
