What guitar did Angus Young play?

Angus Young is known for playing a Gibson SG Special. It was originally released in 1961 and features two single-coil pick ups, three way selector switch, and tone and volume knobs. Angus famously spray painted the guitar with yellow and black stripes to create his iconic look. He has used this same guitar in most of AC/DC’s performances since 1975.

Angus Young’s Early Guitar Years: From a Gibson SG to Custom Modified Guitars

Angus Young, the legendary rhythm guitarist and founding member of AC/DC, has long been associated with Gibson SGs. His early years in the band were defined by his unique approach to guitar playing and his iconic Gibson SG. Initially, Angus acquired an off-the-shelf 1965 model which he modified extensively. He removed two low strings, a feature that is synonymous with Angus’ classic sound. The neck was shaved down slightly to make it more suitable for fast solos and small hands. He removed the pickguard and filled all the screw holes on the body with wooden pegs before painting it schoolboy uniform black and white stripes – a look that became instantly recognizable.

In 1975, Angus swapped out his first guitar for a newer model of Gibson SG – this time custom built by Guitar Craftsman John Birch in England according to Angus’ exact specifications. This new guitar featured three humbuckers as well as coil tapping capabilities so that it could easily switch from loud hard rock tones to mellow bluesy sounds at just a flick of a switch. To add an even more distinctive touch, Birch added red binding along both edges of the body so when viewed from above looks like Young’s signature schoolboy blazer.

By 1977 however, Angus started experimenting further with guitars other than Gibsons – most notably Fender Strats. During one of their tours he found some old Fender Starcaster guitars which were equipped with humbucker pickups providing him with warm distortion tone reminiscent of his Gibson SG days without having to deal with feedback issues typical of single coils – these are now famously known as “The Holy Grail” or “Starcasters” among fans and collectors alike due to their rarity and costliness if ever offered for sale online or in any physical stores nowadays.

The Iconic Red Gibson SG: How It Became Angus’ Go-To Guitar

Ever since the 1970s, Angus Young of AC/DC has been one of the most recognizable guitarists in rock music. The legendary musician is as well-known for his sound as he is for his iconic red Gibson SG. The story behind how this classic instrument became Angus’ go-to guitar is a fascinating one.

The first time Angus ever picked up the Gibson SG was in 1976, when he decided to switch from a Gretsch Country Gentleman to something more suitable for live performances. Despite its heavier weight, Angus was won over by its tone and sustain after trying it out at a friend’s recording studio. He quickly took an affinity with the model – so much so that he now owns six different versions.

The signature red hue of his SG also contributed to its fame; while some may be unaware that there were two shades used on various models (cherry and pelham blue), it can be argued that the vibrant colour was what made it stand out amongst other instruments onstage during AC/DC’s tours. Nowadays, thanks to many appearances in numerous concerts and photographs of Angus playing the instrument, no other electric guitar can come close to being associated with him like this particular model can.

Unique Modifications on Angus’ Guitars: From Signature Pickup Configurations to Built-in Wireless Systems

Angus Young of AC/DC has established himself as one of the most iconic electric guitarists in music history. Throughout his career, Angus has relied on a number of signature instruments to get the job done. His characteristic sound is heavily reliant on the unique modifications he’s added to them over time.

One such example is his trademark pickup configuration: Angus uses three single-coil pickups set up for five-way switching instead of the usual two humbuckers in a three-way switch setup used by many other guitarists. This allows him to access a wider range of tones and emphasizes the high end that characterizes his playing style. He often switches between rhythm and lead within the same song, necessitating quick changes with no degradation in quality – something only this custom wiring can provide reliably.

A more recent innovation involves using built-in wireless systems so that Angus can roam freely across stages without having to worry about signal drops or technical difficulties associated with cables and pedals. By adding an onboard transmitter into guitars that had traditionally been wired only for analog use, Angus now has complete freedom when it comes to stage movement while still getting clean sound from any point on the venue floor – a great solution for rock concerts.

Collaborations with Guitar Brands: Angus’ Partnerships with Schaffer-Vega and Gretsch Guitars

Throughout his career, Angus Young of the legendary AC/DC has been known for being one of the most iconic and influential guitarists in rock music. As such, it should come as no surprise that two major guitar brands have partnered with him over the years – Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) and Gretsch Guitars.

The SVDS was a collaboration between Doug Schaffer and Bill Lawrence back in 1974. It featured a pickup design where you could select between humbucking pickups or single-coils by pushing a button on your guitar’s body. The idea behind this innovation was to give more tonal control while playing live performances. This groundbreaking technology caught the eye of Angus Young and he began using it during AC/DC’s 1975 tour, which resulted in some killer sounds from his Gibson SG Custom guitars. Sadly, production of this system ceased shortly after its debut but much of its innovative design is still used today in modern multi-pickup configurations.

In 2018, Gretsch Guitars released an extremely limited edition run of their classic White Falcon model called “Angus Young Signature” designed for the 65th birthday celebration for Angus Young himself. This model was an homage to Angus’ very own 1964 White Falcon that he uses onstage when performing with AC/DC; complete with an original Bigsby tailpiece from 1965 as well as TV Jones Classic Humbucker pickups for recreating those iconic ‘Back In Black’ riffs! Each instrument also came with a signed certificate from Angus himself along with a hardshell case bearing his signature logo – making these instruments truly one-of-a-kind collector’s items.

Though there have only been two collaborations throughout his illustrious career, they both represent amazing moments within guitar history where technology pushed forward what we can do when creating music. Though now retired, at least these partnerships leave us something tangible to remember one of rocks greatest legends by – aside from just listening to the incredible albums that bore his name.

The Legacy of the “Angus Young Sound”: How His Choice of Guitars Influenced Rock Music History

Angus Young’s sound is one of the most recognizable sounds in rock music history. As a member of AC/DC, Angus Young has made an indelible mark on the genre with his loud, aggressive guitar playing and powerful riffs. But what guitar did he choose to help him achieve this classic sound?

In 1979, Angus began using Gibson SG guitars for their lighter weight, which allowed him to better maneuver around the stage during live performances. The SG provided more volume than other models as well due to its double humbucker pickups and increased sustain from its thinner body structure. He would go on to use various Gibson models throughout his career including the Les Paul Standard, the Firebird, and even some custom guitars such as those made by ESP and Grover Jackson.

It’s clear that Angus Young was no ordinary player when it came to selecting his instruments; he had a keen ear for tone and knew exactly how to get it out of any type of guitar. His choice in instruments set him apart from his peers in the 1970s rock scene who were mostly playing Fender Stratocasters or Telecasters at that time. While these guitars may have been great for other players’ styles, they just didn’t provide enough power or punch for what Angus wanted out of his sound. By choosing Gibsons instead he could capture a much fatter mid-range tone while retaining clarity and attack – all key elements needed in creating his signature style of blues-based hard rock riffs. This impactful combination left an enduring legacy that continues today; many modern day musicians cite Angus’ influence when talking about why they chose certain types of guitars over others.