I have never thought of Brian Johnson as a singer with a register really, I love the guy, and his vocals, but to me, he always sounded like an early extreme metal singer, screaming rock n roll, and I fucking love that about AC/DC from 1980 onwards.
Axl surely does do 'gruff' alot clearer than Brian, but I am still ambivalent about the whole Axl/Acca Dacca thing, just not my flavour is all, I totally get their reason for it, and if I already had a ticket, I would still go and see the event.
*EDIT* Watching some recentish live stuff with Brian in the band, always the way, the band looks to be having the most fun onstage in some time. Hope he gets back to recording at least...