If there is 1 piece of equipment that is the lifeblood of AC/DC its gotta be Angus and that axe. When Bon passed, There were rivers of tears. We felt the run was over. They found a new voice, and played on. When Mal passed, we mourned a legend. The driveing rhythm/the beating heart had stopped. They found a backup guitarist, and played on. When Angus plays his closeing riff, school will be over. There is no replacement, they wont play on. The world will stop, for just a few beats. We'll be Thunderstruck, those Hells Bells will ring out, and we will realize & rejoice that Angus is traveling the Highway to Hell. They're getting the band back together. If only Musk had included a never ending loop of AC/DC in that roadster, the rest of the universe could come to love them too.
When was the album pressed? It should have a date on it somewhere, or something indicating if it's a first pressing, second, third, etc... Sometimes record companies would change artwork on later pressings/releases, but if it's an original first pressing from '77, that would mean he bought the guitar and used it before the album art was done... Edit: That guitar is most likely the 1970 custom bought in '77 that had the middle pickup removed and a white pickguard installed to cover the hole. This was his backup guitar on tours and was the main guitar used on the Back In Black tour.
Scott MacDaddy That was Angus’s baby. Got one similar to it but mines a newer one by Epiphone It’s not exactly like his but it is an SG I won because of him. And I have a truss rod cover that says Angus’s name on it.
There is a reason Angus is one of the kings. He just goes for what he wants and doesn’t give a fuck what other people think. I love you Angus you are the reason I play guitar. Or I try anyways I am terrible at it. But then again I am a beginner. You and Malcolm (rock in peace Malcolm) are the reasons I play guitar well try anyways Thank you for creating AC/DC and we will always protect the good name AC/DC.
Awesome work pal. Like you I’m a super fan . Can’t wait for part two. And importantly when the rumoured new record is finally released. Dean AUstralia Melbourne
That is what happen to his very first SG it got so beat up and rotted it was eventually unrepairable and he had a new one made by Jay Dee to replace it!
@@KyleSG88 He didn't have a new one MADE, he had THAT one restored. Jay Dee fixed up the body, had to replace the neck, but kept the fretboard and put in the lightning bolt inlays. Come to think of it, didn't you cover that in the sequel to this video? Edit: The guitar was rebuilt by JayDee guitars of London in 1979, the body and fretboard were the only parts salvageable. The neck was replaced, the original fretboard attached to the new neck, but likely kept the original trapezoid inlays. If that guitar received the lightning bolts, the gaps would have had to be filled in around them somehow (not impossible at all, but unlikely). Therefore, I believe the first lightning bolt guitar was the custom guitar built entirely from scratch by JayDee, and not Angus' original SG.
2:28, angus probably replaced it because the crowd would go wild when he would duckwalk by and somethimes they would Remove the plug, so that might be why
People could still pull it out from the side... Gibson actually changed the way they built SGs in the late 70s, they moved the jack to the side because breakage was very common. Angus probably moved it to the side for the same reason Gibson did, because there is a lot more wood there so it's not so likely to break.
He still uses that same wireless system to this day. Certainly improved over the course of the last 40 or so years but still the same make. if you check out the Premier Guitar Rig Rundown for Angus and Stevie Young (last year, I think) you'll see and hear Angus' guitar tech describe and show it. The other thing: I'm always amazed at how tiny he is. The guitar is almost as big as he is. For someone with such small hands he sure gets around the fretboard pretty well. Angus is the premier purveyor of real British blues/rock and has been for some time. Sound, licks, attitude - he's the man! Marshall and an SG, what's not to like? Turn it up!!!
Angus does not use the same wireless unit today. He used his original schaffer vega wireless system from 1977 to around 85-86 then different ones ever since then. Fil of Solodallas website makes audio replicas of the vega system but they have no wireless function and only serve like a pedal which Angus used on the latest tour.
Ok, got me on that one. I must have misunderstood what his guitar tech was saying. The units look identical. He is pretty tiny, though, isn't he, mate?
Yes the unit was made to look identical but the new one has no wireless part to it what so ever it just gives you the tone the original one had which was the key to it all :)
2 possible reasons for the input jack.... Around this time Angus used a cable from guitar to amp (I think) it was quite common for people to step on the cable and pull it from the guitar, this would crack and break the wood around the input jack... however, it is easy to repair so maybe thats not the reason...... the other most probable reason is.. Angus uses his controls a lot... the control next to the jack plug is awkward to use as the cable obstructs use of the knob closest to it.... but who knows :)
Just adding some info... In the late 70s (or early 80s) Gibson started making the SGs with the input jack on the side rather than the front because breakage was so common. Yes, it's easy to repair, but then it's still easy to break again, so Angus probably had this mod done to prevent future breaking. Of course not long after he switched to wireless to completely eliminate the problem...
I great insight into Angus's first SG and how he created that sound. I wish I'd known about the Schaffer wireless system when I started out as a guitarist! - It has been said to add abit more gain to the guitar signal.
Yes Schaffer pushes the front end of an amp alittle more. Although back around 75-77 when it had just first came out it was about 3300$ to buy so it wasnt cheap for the average home user to afford lol. :)
Great detective work.. !! I am guessing the original use of the bottom jack was to prevent sweat issues on the front face.. but perhaps knocking around on the floor at times put some issues on the edge placement.. so back to the top of the guitar for the jack.. It did not appear to have the dreaded SG top crack where the jack is located.. just moved I am guessing.. Also, you can see his early 70's Custom (converted to stop tail and 2 pickup) repair on facebook from SIS (Stringed Instrument Services in Southern Cal) where he rapirs the headstock crack and patches the back of the guitar with mahoghany.. (Can also find it on "Everything SG" Forum and search for "The Itty Bitty Acca-Dacca committee".. page -3-
Angus has the neck pickup on in every pick i have seen 1977 and before. Whether or not he was using it or just wired opposite idk but i don't think he used it.
The switch does look like it's in the forward (neck) position... Maybe he was having problems with the bridge pickup during that show and had to use the neck pickup out of necessity.
In case it interests anyone, the 'metal' tuners would likely have been Grovers because in my experience the AC/DC stuff has to be dead-on in-tune and the stock Kluson/Gibson 15:1 ratio makes it really difficult to get it in tune, nor are they as stable as the Grover 18:1 tuners.
KyleSG88 The first Sg is now called the Lighting bolt Sg because he replaced the body of his first Sg all the electronic from his first Sg is in his Lighting bolt Sg.
As far as I know, he actually started with a banjo when he was only 10 or so. They also had an old Telecaster as a backup during the early days of the band, so maybe that was his (or could be Mal's) first guitar.
Search Premier Guitar mag's rig rundown for Angus and Stevie Young. His guitar tech has that guitar on tour and describes it and its history. He has two with white guards: One is a former 3 pickup SG Custom (probably the one you are referring to) and the other is a custom SG made for him by a boutique guitar builder.
I love it how he just puts duck tape over the hole left by the old input jack
its gaffa tape
Doesn't get any better than this, Bon; Malcolm Angus......no bells, no cannons, just balls to wall rock n roll.
If there is 1 piece of equipment that is the lifeblood of AC/DC its gotta be Angus and that axe.
When Bon passed, There were rivers of tears. We felt the run was over.
They found a new voice, and played on.
When Mal passed, we mourned a legend. The driveing rhythm/the beating heart had stopped.
They found a backup guitarist, and played on.
When Angus plays his closeing riff, school will be over.
There is no replacement, they wont play on.
The world will stop, for just a few beats.
We'll be Thunderstruck, those Hells Bells will ring out, and we will realize & rejoice that Angus is traveling the Highway to Hell.
They're getting the band back together.
If only Musk had included a never ending loop of AC/DC in that roadster, the rest of the universe could come to love them too.
on the back of my vinyl let there be rock album was a picture of Angus playing an SG with a white pick guard that was'77
When was the album pressed? It should have a date on it somewhere, or something indicating if it's a first pressing, second, third, etc... Sometimes record companies would change artwork on later pressings/releases, but if it's an original first pressing from '77, that would mean he bought the guitar and used it before the album art was done...
Edit: That guitar is most likely the 1970 custom bought in '77 that had the middle pickup removed and a white pickguard installed to cover the hole. This was his backup guitar on tours and was the main guitar used on the Back In Black tour.
Thanks alot for this. Appreciate all the time and effort put into this video.
Thanks glad you enjoy the video! Have a lead on some new info so i that works out I will have a new video in the future!
This was super interesting and very fun to watch. That guitar went through a lot of love! lol
Scott MacDaddy That was Angus’s baby. Got one similar to it but mines a newer one by Epiphone It’s not exactly like his but it is an SG I won because of him. And I have a truss rod cover that says Angus’s name on it.
Angus rocks. In my book he is the best solo artist and I believe he was born with a gift, playing the guitar.
I love nerding out to AC/DC. There is so much info. Dean AUstralia
Angus would be proud of all your work
this is amazing!!! thanks a lot for all the work
There is a reason Angus is one of the kings. He just goes for what he wants and doesn’t give a fuck what other people think. I love you Angus you are the reason I play guitar. Or I try anyways I am terrible at it. But then again I am a beginner. You and Malcolm (rock in peace Malcolm) are the reasons I play guitar well try anyways Thank you for creating AC/DC and we will always protect the good name AC/DC.
Awesome work pal. Like you I’m a super fan . Can’t wait for part two. And importantly when the rumoured new record is finally released. Dean AUstralia Melbourne
Part 2 is done and has been for a few years now but you tube took it down recently. 3 and 4 are still up though.
@@KyleSG88 Is there a way we can watch part 2?
@@jasper8002 reuploading soon
@@jasper8002 Part 2 new link is now working and in the description box of part 1.
@@KyleSG88 Tnx!
True or not I have read stories that because Angus sweats so much that some of his guitars have rotted over time
Haha would not be surprised :D
That is what happen to his very first SG it got so beat up and rotted it was eventually unrepairable and he had a new one made by Jay Dee to replace it!
I’ve heard that too, as a fan I have even advised people of the same. Dean AUstralia
@@KyleSG88 He didn't have a new one MADE, he had THAT one restored. Jay Dee fixed up the body, had to replace the neck, but kept the fretboard and put in the lightning bolt inlays. Come to think of it, didn't you cover that in the sequel to this video?
Edit: The guitar was rebuilt by JayDee guitars of London in 1979, the body and fretboard were the only parts salvageable. The neck was replaced, the original fretboard attached to the new neck, but likely kept the original trapezoid inlays. If that guitar received the lightning bolts, the gaps would have had to be filled in around them somehow (not impossible at all, but unlikely). Therefore, I believe the first lightning bolt guitar was the custom guitar built entirely from scratch by JayDee, and not Angus' original SG.
2:28, angus probably replaced it because the crowd would go wild when he would duckwalk by and somethimes they would Remove the plug, so that might be why
People could still pull it out from the side...
Gibson actually changed the way they built SGs in the late 70s, they moved the jack to the side because breakage was very common. Angus probably moved it to the side for the same reason Gibson did, because there is a lot more wood there so it's not so likely to break.
He still uses that same wireless system to this day. Certainly improved over the course of
the last 40 or so years but still the same make. if you check out the Premier Guitar Rig
Rundown for Angus and Stevie Young (last year, I think) you'll see and hear Angus' guitar
tech describe and show it. The other thing: I'm always amazed at how tiny he is. The guitar
is almost as big as he is. For someone with such small hands he sure gets around the
fretboard pretty well. Angus is the premier purveyor of real British blues/rock and has
been for some time. Sound, licks, attitude - he's the man! Marshall and an SG, what's
not to like? Turn it up!!!
Angus does not use the same wireless unit today. He used his original schaffer vega wireless system from 1977 to around 85-86 then different ones ever since then. Fil of Solodallas website makes audio replicas of the vega system but they have no wireless function and only serve like a pedal which Angus used on the latest tour.
Ok, got me on that one. I must have misunderstood what his guitar
tech was saying. The units look identical. He is pretty tiny, though,
isn't he, mate?
Yes the unit was made to look identical but the new one has no wireless part to it what so ever it just gives you the tone the original one had which was the key to it all :)
2 possible reasons for the input jack.... Around this time Angus used a cable from guitar to amp (I think) it was quite common for people to step on the cable and pull it from the guitar, this would crack and break the wood around the input jack... however, it is easy to repair so maybe thats not the reason...... the other most probable reason is.. Angus uses his controls a lot... the control next to the jack plug is awkward to use as the cable obstructs use of the knob closest to it.... but who knows :)
Paul Shaw if you watch all of the 4 videos i did it explains the other inputs :)
Haha ... Ain't had time yet but will do 😊
Hey Paul reason for the 2 inputs as stated in this video was from the man himself who did the work Ken Schaffer :)
Just adding some info... In the late 70s (or early 80s) Gibson started making the SGs with the input jack on the side rather than the front because breakage was so common. Yes, it's easy to repair, but then it's still easy to break again, so Angus probably had this mod done to prevent future breaking. Of course not long after he switched to wireless to completely eliminate the problem...
I great insight into Angus's first SG and how he created that sound. I wish I'd known about the Schaffer wireless system when I started out as a guitarist! - It has been said to add abit more gain to the guitar signal.
Yes Schaffer pushes the front end of an amp alittle more. Although back around 75-77 when it had just first came out it was about 3300$ to buy so it wasnt cheap for the average home user to afford lol. :)
That the guitar I best known him for
great video
Great detective work.. !! I am guessing the original use of the bottom jack was to prevent sweat issues on the front face.. but perhaps knocking around on the floor at times put some issues on the edge placement.. so back to the top of the guitar for the jack.. It did not appear to have the dreaded SG top crack where the jack is located.. just moved I am guessing.. Also, you can see his early 70's Custom (converted to stop tail and 2 pickup) repair on facebook from SIS (Stringed Instrument Services in Southern Cal) where he rapirs the headstock crack and patches the back of the guitar with mahoghany.. (Can also find it on "Everything SG" Forum and search for "The Itty Bitty Acca-Dacca committee".. page -3-
Thanks and yes lots of crazy stuff was done!
Thank you !
2:03 Given how Angus sweats Id be betting its a new pickup
Oh yeah he had it rewound a few times for sure.
Very good job you did with theese videos.Such great information.
Angus used neck pickup in picture at 2:55 ???
Angus has the neck pickup on in every pick i have seen 1977 and before. Whether or not he was using it or just wired opposite idk but i don't think he used it.
Im thinking the same.The only time he touches the pickup selector is when switches between the 2 pickups rapidly.You can hear it in some live shows
The switch does look like it's in the forward (neck) position... Maybe he was having problems with the bridge pickup during that show and had to use the neck pickup out of necessity.
great forensic work there very informative!What soundboard recordings are you using,they sound awesome!
In case it interests anyone, the 'metal' tuners would likely have been Grovers because in my experience the AC/DC stuff has to be dead-on in-tune and the stock Kluson/Gibson 15:1 ratio makes it really difficult to get it in tune, nor are they as stable as the Grover 18:1 tuners.
Crazy 😀
and I always thought that he had his wireless receiver in his schoolboy bag😆
No, he had a fog machine in there!
AWESOME!!!😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁
So which guitar did he use on Jailbreak at Rock In Rio... cos he had a term attached...
That guitar is a late 60s/ early 70s SG. I have a few pictures of it. It was a backup SG in the early to mid 80s.
At one point Angus had his guitar wired to be plugged in from the back. That's why you don't see the guitar cord.
Hello there, cant seem to find part 2, help any one?
Thanks in advance
Click on the link in the description of this video. Whole new video with all 4 combined into one.
Did Angus have this SG still in his house?
Watch the 4 parts series and you will find out what happened to his first one :)
Thank you, do you know a website where I can see all SGs he have had through the Years?
They are kind of all over the place. Don't know of one dedicated strictly to his SG's unfortunately.
KyleSG88 The first Sg is now called the Lighting bolt Sg because he replaced the body of his first Sg all the electronic from his first Sg is in his Lighting bolt Sg.
are u shure his first guitar was 1971 becouse angus say its 1970 or 1971! and nice vid :)
Joona Parkkinen Yes 100% sure it was a 71
What happened to part 2? I can’t find it.
Edit: so apparently it’s blocked for copyright. Darn it.
You tube blocked it. Will have it back up soon.
but, i think he did played a guitar before buy a new SG? so.. what was that guitar?
As far as I know, he actually started with a banjo when he was only 10 or so. They also had an old Telecaster as a backup during the early days of the band, so maybe that was his (or could be Mal's) first guitar.
does anyone know if angus his first SG was matte walnut or high-gloss walnut?
His first one Walnut would have gloss on the wood yes they didn't make matte standards then.
Okay thanks
KyleSG88 His first Sg used to be Walnut because he painted it Faded red and when it started to rot the walnut started to show up
his first guitar had p90 single coil pick up at the bridge?
No it was a stock gibson t-top. It just has no cover and tape around it.
You sing
In my personal opinion, Angus' sound is better without the schaffer tower. Listen acdc live in paris, 1979. Probably the best Angus has ever sounded.
I love angus but his hair tho
Angus rocks. In my book he is the best solo artist and I believe he was born with a gift, playing the guitar.
on the back of my vinyl let there be rock album was a picture of Angus playing an SG with a white pick guard that was'77
Search Premier Guitar mag's rig rundown for Angus and Stevie Young. His
guitar tech has that guitar on tour and describes it and its history. He has
two with white guards: One is a former 3 pickup SG Custom (probably the one
you are referring to) and the other is a custom SG made for him by a boutique
guitar builder.