Riff Tone
One Vision
Queen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special
AmpVox AC30 (likely 1970s/1980s Top Boost, multiple in parallel, cranked)
PickupsTri-Sonic single-coil pickups (custom-wired, series, in-phase)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostUnknown Treble Booster (model unknown, likely custom or Dallas Rangemaster type)
Notes
Studio recording, 1985 (A Kind of Magic sessions). Brian May's Red Special into multiple cranked Vox AC30s, using a treble booster. No evidence of additional pedals for the riff section. Pickup selection and amp settings are based on studio practices and interviews for this era and song.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch from cranked Vox AC30smidrange-forward, harmonically richtight and percussive rhythm attackdistinctive treble bite from treble boosterarticulate, focused chord stabsdynamic response to pickingslight natural compression from amp overdriveclear note separation in chordspunchy, aggressive riffingno audible modulation or time-based effects in riff
Difficulty
The riff demands tight, percussive rhythm playing at a fast tempo, with dynamic control and precise muting to capture the punchy, articulate Queen sound.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special
AmpVox AC30 (likely 1970s/1980s Top Boost, multiple in parallel, cranked)
PickupsTri-Sonic single-coil pickups (custom-wired, series, in-phase)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
boostUnknown Treble Booster (model unknown, likely custom or Dallas Rangemaster type)
Notes
Studio recording, 1985 (A Kind of Magic sessions). Brian May's Red Special into multiple cranked Vox AC30s, using a treble booster. No evidence of additional pedals for the riff section. Pickup selection and amp settings are based on studio practices and interviews for this era and song.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch from cranked Vox AC30smidrange-forward, harmonically richtight and percussive rhythm attackdistinctive treble bite from treble boosterarticulate, focused chord stabsdynamic response to pickingslight natural compression from amp overdriveclear note separation in chordspunchy, aggressive riffingno audible modulation or time-based effects in riff
Difficulty
The riff demands tight, percussive rhythm playing at a fast tempo, with dynamic control and precise muting to capture the punchy, articulate Queen sound.
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- Another One Bites the Dust · clean
- Brighton Rock · solo