Riff Tone

Another One Bites the Dust

Queen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Precision Bass (for main riff), Brian May's Red Special (for guitar noise/fx overdubs only)

AmpUnknown bass amp (likely a Music Man or Fender Bassman for Deacon's bass), Vox AC30 (for Brian May's guitar overdubs only)

PickupsFender split single-coil (Precision Bass), Burns Tri-Sonic single-coils (Red Special)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

The main riff is performed on bass guitar by John Deacon, not electric guitar. Brian May contributed only noise/fx overdubs with his Red Special and Vox AC30. Studio recording, 1980. No evidence of electric guitar for the main riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and punchyclean and percussivedry, minimal ambiencefunk-inspired grooveno audible guitar distortionfocused low endmidrange presenceminimal sustainno chorus or modulationstudio-polished clarity

Difficulty

The main riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise muting and groove, but is technically straightforward and repetitive, making it accessible to most players.

Sources

Was a Les Paul really used in Another one bites the dust? - Reddit Brian May's Guitar Gear, Pedals & Amps | Equipboard Rig Rundown: Queen's Brian May - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 6 times by the community

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