Riff Tone

Flick of the Wrist (Live at the Rainbow, London / November 1974)

Queen

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarHomemade 'Red Special' electric guitar

AmpVox AC30 (1960s, likely Top Boost model, cranked for overdrive)

PickupsBurns Tri-Sonic single-coil pickups (modified, series wiring, phase switches)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7

treble7.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown (likely custom or Dallas) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or similar treble booster)

Notes

Live performance at the Rainbow, London, November 1974. Brian May's rig was well-documented for this era: Red Special into a treble booster into a cranked Vox AC30. No evidence of pedalboard use for the riff section; effects mainly from amp and treble booster. No chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

British crunchBright and articulateAggressive pick attackHarmonically richFull-bodiedDynamic and responsiveSlight compressionDistinct single-coil biteSinging sustainNo audible modulation or delay

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy, fast picking, and control of dynamics to achieve the classic Brian May crunch and articulation, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

No direct pedal/effects/amp setting info found in search results; inferred from era, live context, and Brian May's documented rig

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