How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Get support and show off your MetroAmp 50 Watt kit builds.

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JDW3
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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by JDW3 » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:56 am

Spodeeodee wrote:I think the .1 coupler caps result in a more organic feel, more so than .022. The bass is not as tight, but not at all flubby.

I would suggest removing V2 cap and see what you think. I'm not a big fan of it personally. Sounds harsh when it's in there.

As for my EQ...

Bass: 2-3
Mid: 5
Treble: 6

I'm almost always plugged into the bright channel, which in my situation precludes any need for the presence knob (I only use that on the 'normal' channel).

I guess I can't really call it a JTM50 anymore, and it's really not a 1986 or 1987 either...hmmmmm.....


How do you like the feel of the 32 caps?

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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by Spodeeodee » Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:03 pm

A little less stiff than 50uf, but honestly it's a very minimal difference.
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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by bobtec » Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:33 pm

cool

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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by JDW3 » Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:49 pm

These few years later, I've come to realize the Angus tone is simply a Super Lead, on about 6. You can get a lot done AC/DC wise, with this. Angus only used JTM type amps on a couple albums.

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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by lautmaschine » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:14 am

Agree with JDW3. Solodallas has experimented with this sound significantly and concluded that Angus most likely used 70s Super Leads on key albums, such as Back in Black. To get my 1987 in this territory, I did some of the same mods as mentioned above, such as increasing the preamp voltage. I built my 1987 to George's '68 specs, but have now remove the .68 on v2 and changing the coupling off v1b to .0022. I haven't fiddled with NFB yet, so I'm still using the older spec 47k.

A large bright cap is key. I originally built mine with 500pf and found it too harsh, so have been playing with a 100pf for months. But I can't couldn't the right 'jangle' in the rhythm. I've now been experimenting with values of 1000pf to 3300pf (I'm ordering a 4700), and that makes a huge difference in getting Angus' sound--I didn't expect 1000pf to be less harsh than 500pf but it is. On my amp, I have the volume set around 5, and I back off on my guitar volume to 7, and I'm pretty much there for rhythm.

I also agree with the above comments on pickups. A5 magnets are important. I bought a used 490R and change it to an Alnico 5 in the bridge to get that tight sound. I've also ordered some 500k pots to replace the 300ks currently in my SG.

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Re: How can I make my 50 watt sound more like AC/DC?

Post by blakef » Thu May 03, 2018 9:11 pm

I know this thread is old but a 'neikeel' mentioned 'running into a quad of G12Hs you can get 'that' sound.' Since I'm new here, the board won't let me email him directly.

My question is exactly which G12Hs he's talking about? Early greenback ones? Blackbacks, and are we talking 55 or 75 hz?

Thanks!

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