Riff Tone

Gimme the Prize (Kurgan's Theme)

Queen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special

AmpVox AC30 (multiple, cranked, likely 1980s model with EL84s)

PickupsCustom Tri-Sonic single-coils (series, in-phase wiring)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown Treble Booster (model unknown, likely custom or Dallas Rangemaster type)

Notes

Studio recording, 1985-1986 for the 'A Kind of Magic' album. Brian May's signature Red Special and Vox AC30 setup, with treble booster. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive and saturatedtight and percussiveharmonically richcutting and articulatemid-forwardslightly compressedhigh outputdistinctive Queen/May bitecranked British amp characterfocused low end

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, tight alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise timing, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Daily Queen Song Discussion #136: Gimme the Prize (Kurgan's ...Brian May’s guitar gear: how to sound like the iconic Queen guitarist | Guitar World How to get Brian May's Red Special tones from a Strat or Les Paul | Guitar World

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