Pepper Keenan has looked back on the time he was given the keys to Malcolm Young’s legendary AC/DC rig – an experience he describes as “concussive”.
Speaking on the latest episode of Chris Garza’s podcast, the Corrosion of Conformity guitarist explained the opportunity arose because he and Young both had the same guitar tech, Takumi Suetsugu.
The world-renowned technician, who also worked with Prince, was a mutual contact that connected Keenan’s world of heavy metal with the classic rock style championed by the Young brothers.
As such, Keenan was invited to an AC/DC show by Suetsugu, and offered the chance to play the late rhythm guitar great’s iconic ‘Beast’ Gretsch through his fully fledged stock of Marshall stacks.
Loud is an understatement. Ear-splitting would be more appropriate. Keenan compared the experience to getting a concussion.
“[Suetsugu] ended up working for AC/DC, and that’s when he called me up. I went to a show and, yes, I got to play Malcolm’s rig,” he remembers.
“It’s all Marshalls, improperly biased, that are microphonic,” Keenan explains of Young’s setup. “It’s hot. Insane. And they’re all on – it scared the shit out of me.”
Keenan observes that there was no overdrive whatsoever from Young’s amps. Just sheer, unadulterated volume that powered AC/DC’s sound and became the bedrock for his brother Angus’s lead musings.
He notes, “It’s just volume. No overdrive, just volume pushing it. There’s no pedals. It’s loud, you know? It’s just concussive, would be the right word.”
Keenan also got his hands on the Beast, Young’s 1963 Gretsch 6131 Jet Firebird, which was by the guitarist’s side for his whole career. It was one half of a streamlined guitar rig that was defined by its raw, sledgehammer-style rock tone. And, on paper, it was a nightmare to play.
“The action’s high. It’s an animal, dude,” Keenan says. “It’s a monster. [But] I loved it. I usually have shitty action, too. That was a fun thing.”
As for why Malcolm’s tone felt particularly intimidating, Keen continues, “Angus’ tone is kind of spongy. Malcolm’s tone is not. It’s almost closer to a Fender Twin. It’s concussive.”
In related news, earlier this year Keenan reflected on his ill-fated Metallica audition, admitting he knew the exact moment he failed his chance to become the band’s new bassist.
