Riff Tone

Hammer to Fall (Single Version)

Queen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special (original, handmade by Brian May and his father)

AmpVox AC30 (multiple amps, cranked, studio recording)

PickupsTri-Sonic single-coil pickups (Burns, wired in series, in-phase, typically bridge + middle for riff tones)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7.5

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

boostDallas (or custom/unknown) Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or custom clone)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984. The Red Special was used for all Queen studio recordings in this era. Vox AC30s were run at full volume, with a Dallas Rangemaster-style treble booster in front. No evidence of other guitars or amps for the riff section of 'Hammer to Fall (Single Version)'.

Tone Character(10)

British crunch with pronounced midrangeAggressive, harmonically rich attackDistinctive treble bite from treble boosterFull-bodied, saturated rhythm toneDynamic response to pickingTight, percussive riffingSlightly nasal, focused upper midsSinging sustain on chordsMinimal ambient effectsClassic Queen rhythm guitar sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast downstroke picking, precise palm muting, and dynamic control to achieve the punchy, aggressive Queen rhythm sound. While not technically virtuosic, the tempo and rhythmic precision demand intermediate to advanced skill.