What kind of guitar does Angus Young play?

Angus Young, the lead guitarist of AC/DC, is known for playing a Gibson SG Standard. This double-cutaway electric guitar has a solid mahogany body and neck, with rosewood fretboard and two humbucker pickups. Young usually pairs it with an MXR Distortion+ pedal to create his signature sound. He often modifies his guitar, adding pieces like Angus stickers or changing pickup configurations.

Angus Young’s Early Guitars: A Look at His Signature SG Model

Angus Young has been an icon in the music world since he first emerged onto the scene as the co-founder of AC/DC. Though his style, approach and energy have remained consistent throughout his career, one thing that is always changing is the guitars he plays. With decades of experience under his belt, let’s take a look at what Angus Young played early on in his career, starting with his signature SG model.

The SG model has been a staple for young from day one and it’s no surprise when considering its features which are well suited to rock & roll. It features a pair of humbucking pickups as well as two toggle switches – one for volume and one for tone control. The combination gives players access to powerful yet controlled sounds which makes them ideal for guitarists looking to play loud hard rocking riffs like those favored by Angus himself. The body shape of this guitar is very unique due to its double cutaway design which allows greater access to higher frets making soloing effortless even when playing live or recording in studio environments.

It’s clear why Angus gravitated towards this particular instrument; its tone, feel and functionality make it a perfect fit for rockers like him who demand versatility from their instruments without compromising quality sound production. It certainly serves as testament to Angus’ exceptional abilities that even after all these years later he continues to make use of such an iconic guitar with great success.

Modifications to Angus Young’s Guitar over the Years

Angus Young is a rock-legend renowned for his intense and creative guitar solos. He has been playing a Gibson SG Standard since 1978, but he has made some key modifications over the years to create a unique sound. In 1979, Angus had two Lace Sensor pickups installed in order to take advantage of the higher-gain output of these pickups. This allowed him to reach an impressive level of distortion without having to rely on an amplifier’s preamp or boost pedal.

The neck pickup was replaced with a Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB humbucker in 2002, providing an even more powerful sound than what the Lace Sensors provided. The following year, he had all four potentiometers changed out to 500K models so they could handle the increased current draw from the Duncan pickup; this allowed Angus to control the overall tonal character more accurately.

Angus decided it was time for new strings when touring with AC/DC in 2008: Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Slinkys were used instead of the usual nickel roundwounds. These slinkys provide additional clarity and mid-range “sparkle” while also giving a smooth feel that doesn’t require as much effort during long shredding sessions – perfect for working up those iconic solos.

The Sound of Angus Young’s Guitar: Pickups and Strings

Few guitarists have as distinctive and memorable a sound as AC/DC’s Angus Young. His solos, riffs, and rhythms captivate audiences every time he takes the stage. But what allows him to create such iconic sounds? It comes down to two main factors: his choice of pickups and strings.

Angus is famously known for playing Gibson SGs with P90 pickups, giving his signature bright but aggressive tone. This combination allows him to achieve the perfect balance between distortion and clarity that makes his rhythm parts stand out even in the midst of a live band setting. The SG’s slightly larger body size than a Les Paul also lets Angus’s hands move quickly up and down the neck when transitioning from riffing to soloing seamlessly during each song.

The second factor that influences Angus’s sound is his selection of strings; he favors high-tension sets like Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Strings so that he can play faster without worrying about string bends or intonation issues when going from one note to another in quick succession during fast passages. As any guitarist knows, strings play a key role in not only comfort but tonal quality too. By using these high-tension sets with warm tone woods on his guitars, it helps make sure all of those wild solos don’t get lost in the mix by providing maximum sustain and vibrance throughout performances.

Amplifiers and Effects Used by Angus Young to Create His Unique Tone

When it comes to achieving the signature sound of Angus Young, his choice of amplifiers and effects play a huge part in creating the iconic guitar tone he is known for. As one of the founding members of AC/DC, his use of Marshall amplifiers combined with wah-wah pedals has been integral in forming the raw energy behind many classic hits.

For most performances, Young is seen using either a 50-watt or 100-watt JCM 800 combo amp. This particular model was introduced by Marshall back in 1981 and became renowned for its use as an overdrive amplifier with more distortion capabilities than other models on the market at that time. It also featured two channels; clean and lead which allowed musicians to transition quickly between rhythm and lead playing without losing any power in their sound.

Young’s iconic sound wouldn’t be complete without a Vox V847 Wah pedal which he frequently uses during solos and slower sections to add texture to his playing style. Using this device enables him to create dynamic swells and filter tones at varying frequencies depending on where the pedal is set – adding dimensionality to licks or riffs when needed. He often uses Dunlop strings too – commonly gauged.11 -.49 which are ideally suited for delivering bright but beefy tones across all registers when picking on electric guitars like Gibson SGs or Les Pauls.

How to Get Close to the Sound of Angus Young’s Guitar on a Budget

One of the most iconic guitarists of all time, AC/DC’s Angus Young, has been lauded for his playing style and highly sought-after sound. Fans everywhere have tried to emulate his unmistakable tone, but often find it difficult to replicate on a budget.

Fortunately there are ways you can get close to Angus Young’s signature sound without breaking the bank. Look for a quality guitar that is in the same family as what he plays – an SG with two humbucking pickups. While not exactly the same model Angus uses (a Gibson SG Standard from 1970) you should be able to find something suitable at around half the price of its vintage counterpart. Remember that many modern features like locking tuners and active electronics do not affect the overall tone of your guitar significantly.

You should also invest in high-quality strings if you want an authentic sounding axe like AC/DC’s frontman; some suggest using Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys or Super Slinkys for best results. When it comes to amp settings try modelling after those heard on classic AC/DC tracks such as “Highway To Hell” or “Back In Black” – use fuzz and overdrive pedals if necessary – and always make sure your rig is set up correctly before playing. With this combination you may never fully achieve Angus Young’s immortalized tones – but you will definitely come close enough while saving a lot of money along the way!