Which combo should I get for AC/DC tone?

[Steve Jewell]

Just based on my own experience, and I'm sure there's other good recommends in here but hands down the best AC/DC tone was through a Plexi style amp. It was unmistakable and effortless to dial in with a humbucker Gibson guitar.

Can't disagree at all. Plexi heads are awesome. How-ever Plexi heads don't come cheap these days and again nothing is ever certain. Plug in, try 'em all. You just never know what will shine and what will come up short of expectations. In the end to really get close to what the OP is looking for It probably has to be a head with enough "grunt" to make the deep tones of a larger cabinet or combo with an ability to really move some air. I'm not saying a smaller amp can't get close but no small part of the sound you hear from AC/DC or most any band playing hard rock in the 1970s is found in the ability to chug along with the bass and drums during rhythm sections and then cut through and scream on solos and fills. In my experience that's a lot too much to ask of amp with any limitations or compromises to size, power and ability to move enough air. Getting back to the original post. I get the inference that there is a budget consideration that may not accommodate the expense of a really good vintage head like a good Plexi. That said, I've never played an Origin Head but I'd bet a 50W with the right tubes inside matched up with a good 4x12 cabinet has the potential to get there without the much larger Plexi price tag attached.

 

[jamvu]

Sorry to say that, but according to Fil (Solodallas) this is wrong.

„Despite what was always believed – and precisely – that these were JTM45, our research (and pictorial evidence) has shown that these were always JTM50s. These, particularly (shown), were two reissue JTM45s that were used as a cheap and convenient way for AC/DC to carve JTM50s out of them. Older and original JTM50s of Angus’ have been seen previously in older pictures (shown above). These were for live use. The only JTM45s in authentic JTM45 configuration were used on Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip.
For all the rest of the work, since Highway To Hell in 1979, JTM50s were always used.“

History of the JTM50

The Black Flag JTM50 is a rather rare and coveted after amplifier made by Marshal between 1966 and 1967. It was one of the transitional steps between the JTM45

solodallas.com

If this is legit, then I stand corrected. Good job faerdi. Maybe it was the tone I hear rather than the tone it actually is😉

 

[Ufoscorpion]

 

[Ufoscorpion]

 

[TheOtherEric]

In my experience, it’s 50% amp, 50% speakers, 0% guitar. So any old circuit (Plexi or MV) with G12-65 or similar speaker that flattens high-end fizz. Greenbacks will NOT do, not at all.

 

[RedTag]

Can someone please post their acca/dacca settings for a DSL40CR. I've been tweaking for a good half hour and I am nowhere near close. I've tried the crunch and OD1 channels, no luck yet. Full disclosure, I am a newbie with an 2004 Epiphone LP plugged straight in with no pedals. Perhaps it's the stock pickups (measures 13K Ohm Neck ) ? I don't know.

 

[79 2203]

DLS40.. btw, which sounds better at bedroom levels? The C or CR?

Too much gain for AC/DC in that clip

 

[79 2203]

In my experience, it’s 50% amp, 50% speakers, 0% guitar. So any old circuit (Plexi or MV) with G12-65 or similar speaker that flattens high-end fizz. Greenbacks will NOT do, not at all.

Well maybe a modern Greenback, but my 68 Greenbacks absolutely nail the early High Voltage, Dirty Deeds era tone using either a 71 1987 or 79 2203.
And there’s a pretty good chance AC/DC actually used Greenbacks on those recordings.
Also, that “high end fizz” will only be there at lower volumes(especially on a MV amp) but once you open them up it disappears no matter what speaker you’re using.

 

[79 2203]

Can someone please post their acca/dacca settings for a DSL40CR. I've been tweaking for a good half hour and I am nowhere near close. I've tried the crunch and OD1 channels, no luck yet. Full disclosure, I am a newbie with an 2004 Epiphone LP plugged straight in with no pedals. Perhaps it's the stock pickups (measures 13K Ohm Neck ) ? I don't know.

Definitely don’t use the neck pickup for ACDC

 

[TheOtherEric]

Well maybe a modern Greenback, but my 68 Greenbacks absolutely nail the early High Voltage, Dirty Deeds era tone using either a 71 1987 or 79 2203.
And there’s a pretty good chance AC/DC actually used Greenbacks on those recordings.
Also, that “high end fizz” will only be there at lower volumes(especially on a MV amp) but once you open them up it disappears no matter what speaker you’re using.

That doesn’t surprise me at all that vintage GBs will nail the tone. New ones sure don’t though. I really need to find some vintage GBs. :-(

 

[scozz]

Too much gain for AC/DC in that clip

Yes, without a doubt.