AC/DC - Back In Black Pt.1 - All Riffs - Guitar Lesson

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AC/DC - Back In Black Pt.1 - All Riffs - Guitar Lesson

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Key E minor
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AC/DC Hard Rock E minor
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Back In Black Pt.1 - All Riffs


"Back in Black" by AC/DC is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded, released in 1980 on the album of the same name through Atlantic Records. Written as a tribute to former vocalist Bon Scott, who died in February 1980, the track introduced Brian Johnson as the new lead singer. For electric guitarists, it is an essential study piece built around one of rock's most iconic opening riffs, making it a benchmark for rhythm guitar tone and technique.

  • The opening guitar riff is one of the most studied and recognized in rock history, ideal for building rhythm guitar fundamentals.
  • Written as a tribute to Bon Scott, who died in February 1980, giving the song significant emotional and historical weight.
  • Released as the second US single from AC/DC's seventh studio album, Back in Black reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.
Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Angus Young's 1968 Gibson SG Standard is the foundation of AC/DC's signature tone, its lightweight mahogany body and full upper-fret access enabling his aggressive, fluid lead work. Stock Gibson humbuckers push Marshall Plexi amps into natural tube saturation, giving him the perfect balance of dynamics and crunch without relying on effects.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The Marshall 1959 Super Lead cranked to full volume is where Angus Young's power comes from, with no master volume control forcing the power tubes to compress and break up naturally. This thick, harmonically rich overdrive defines AC/DC's raw, unprocessed rock tone straight from guitar to amp.

Marshall JTM45
Amp

Marshall JTM45

Angus Young uses the Marshall JTM45 as his primary amp for achieving natural tube saturation at high volumes, where the amp's power tubes generate organic overdrive without any pedal assistance. This minimalist, direct approach captures AC/DC's core sound: pure, uncolored guitar and amp interaction.

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