Riff Tone

I Want to Break Free

Queen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special

AmpVox AC30/6 (Top Boost, 1980s model, cranked for overdrive)

PickupsBurns Tri-Sonic single coils (series wiring, phase switching)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostDallas Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or clone)

chorusTC Electronic TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 1983-1984 (The Works album). Brian May used his original Red Special with the Vox AC30 for the riff. No evidence of additional guitars or amps for the distorted riff section. Studio context, not live.

Tone Character(10)

British crunchharmonically rich overdrivetight and focused rhythmsinging sustaindistinctive midrangearticulate note separationslightly compressed breakupclassic rock riffingclear attacknot overly saturated

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically syncopated and requires tight timing and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast picking, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Brian May's Guitar Gear, Pedals & Amps | Equipboard Brian May's Guitar Gear, Pedals & Amps | Equipboard (page 4)Brian May’s guitar gear: how to sound like the iconic Queen guitarist | Guitar World Queen – The Works - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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