Solo Tone
Bohemian Rhapsody (Live Aid)
Queen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special (original, handmade by Brian May and his father)
AmpVox AC30 (multiple, cranked, Live Aid 1985 setup)
PickupsTri-Sonic single-coil pickups (modified for phase switching, series/parallel wiring)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas Arbiter (or custom/Unknown) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or custom Fryer/BMG variant)
Notes
Live performance at Wembley Stadium, Live Aid, July 13, 1985. Brian May's Red Special into a treble booster and multiple Vox AC30s. No evidence of studio overdubs or additional effects. Settings and effects are for the solo section, which is the most distorted/heavy part of the song.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainharmonically richmid-forwardtight and focusedclear note separationvocal-like phrasingsmooth overdrivedistinct treble bitedynamic and responsiveclassic British crunch
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of phrasing, vibrato, and dynamics, as well as technical proficiency in fast runs and bends. The unique wiring and switching of the Red Special also add to the challenge.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special (original, handmade by Brian May and his father)
AmpVox AC30 (multiple, cranked, Live Aid 1985 setup)
PickupsTri-Sonic single-coil pickups (modified for phase switching, series/parallel wiring)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas Arbiter (or custom/Unknown) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or custom Fryer/BMG variant)
Notes
Live performance at Wembley Stadium, Live Aid, July 13, 1985. Brian May's Red Special into a treble booster and multiple Vox AC30s. No evidence of studio overdubs or additional effects. Settings and effects are for the solo section, which is the most distorted/heavy part of the song.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainharmonically richmid-forwardtight and focusedclear note separationvocal-like phrasingsmooth overdrivedistinct treble bitedynamic and responsiveclassic British crunch
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of phrasing, vibrato, and dynamics, as well as technical proficiency in fast runs and bends. The unique wiring and switching of the Red Special also add to the challenge.
More Queen tones
- Bohemian Rhapsody · solo
- Killer Queen · solo
- Bohemian Rhapsody · riff
- Another One Bites the Dust · riff
- Don't Stop Me Now · solo
- We Will Rock You · solo
- Ogre Battle (Live At The Hammersmith Odeon, London / 1975) · riff
- Another One Bites the Dust · riff
- Another One Bites the Dust · clean
- Brighton Rock · solo