Riff Tone
Brighton Rock
Queen
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHomemade Red Special (Brian May's original, 1960s build)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, 1960s/early 70s, non-master volume, cranked)
PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (modified, Burns London, wired for series/parallel and phase options)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7.5
treble8
reverb0.5
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Notes
Studio recording, 1974 (Sheer Heart Attack album). All sources agree on Red Special and Vox AC30. Treble booster and tape delay (Echoplex) used. Pickup selection and effects chain confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of additional gain/distortion pedals; distortion from amp and treble booster.
Tone Character(10)
British crunchharmonically richsinging sustaintight and articulateraspy edgetouch-sensitivemidrange bitebright and presentcomplex overtonesdynamic response
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking, intricate chord shapes, and dynamic control to capture the signature Brian May sound, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHomemade Red Special (Brian May's original, 1960s build)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, 1960s/early 70s, non-master volume, cranked)
PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (modified, Burns London, wired for series/parallel and phase options)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7.5
treble8
reverb0.5
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
boostDallas Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Notes
Studio recording, 1974 (Sheer Heart Attack album). All sources agree on Red Special and Vox AC30. Treble booster and tape delay (Echoplex) used. Pickup selection and effects chain confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of additional gain/distortion pedals; distortion from amp and treble booster.
Tone Character(10)
British crunchharmonically richsinging sustaintight and articulateraspy edgetouch-sensitivemidrange bitebright and presentcomplex overtonesdynamic response
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking, intricate chord shapes, and dynamic control to capture the signature Brian May sound, making it challenging for most players.
Brighton Rock settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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