Riff Tone
Innuendo
Queen
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special (homemade electric guitar)
AmpVox AC30/6 (Normal channel, likely 1990s model, no built-in effects)
PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (modified, series wiring, phase switching)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostPete Cornish Pete Cornish Treble Boost
modulationTC Electronic TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger
Notes
Studio recording, 1990/1991. Brian May's Red Special into a Vox AC30, with treble boost and chorus/flanger effects. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the riff section. Effects applied via pedals, not amp. No evidence of amp effects loop used.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with clear note separationrich harmonic overtonestight, articulate rhythmslightly compressed attackchorus/flanger shimmermedium gain with clarityfull-bodied midrangedistinctive Red Special sustainnot overly saturateddynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, articulate picking with syncopated rhythms and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or extreme speed.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special (homemade electric guitar)
AmpVox AC30/6 (Normal channel, likely 1990s model, no built-in effects)
PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (modified, series wiring, phase switching)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostPete Cornish Pete Cornish Treble Boost
modulationTC Electronic TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger
Notes
Studio recording, 1990/1991. Brian May's Red Special into a Vox AC30, with treble boost and chorus/flanger effects. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the riff section. Effects applied via pedals, not amp. No evidence of amp effects loop used.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with clear note separationrich harmonic overtonestight, articulate rhythmslightly compressed attackchorus/flanger shimmermedium gain with clarityfull-bodied midrangedistinctive Red Special sustainnot overly saturateddynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, articulate picking with syncopated rhythms and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or extreme speed.
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