ToneAdapt

Loading...

Riff Tone

One Vision (Single Version)

Queen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special

AmpVox AC30 (likely 1980s model, non-top boost, cranked, studio recording)

PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (custom, series/parallel and phase switching)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7.5

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

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

Notes

Studio recording, 1985; Brian May's Red Special with custom switching, into a cranked Vox AC30; treble booster pedal almost certainly used as always in this era. No evidence of additional pedals or rack effects for the riff section. Pickup selection and amp settings inferred from era, genre, and Brian May's known studio approach for this song.

Tone Character(10)

chiming British crunchharmonic-rich and saturatedtight and articulate attackdistinct midrange presencesinging sustainpercussive riff clarityslightly compressed feelbright, cutting top endclassic Queen layered guitardynamic response to picking

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated picking, dynamic palm muting, and precise timing to match the layered, percussive Queen sound. While not technically virtuosic, the rhythmic complexity and ensemble tightness make it challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

How to get Brian May's Red Special tones from a Strat or Les Paul | Guitar World Brian May’s guitar gear: how to sound like the iconic Queen guitarist | Guitar World What amp setting does Brian May use? : r/GuitarAmps

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special

AmpVox AC30 (likely 1980s model, non-top boost, cranked, studio recording)

PickupsTri-Sonic single coils (custom, series/parallel and phase switching)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7.5

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

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

Sources

How to get Brian May's Red Special tones from a Strat or Les Paul | Guitar World Brian May’s guitar gear: how to sound like the iconic Queen guitarist | Guitar World What amp setting does Brian May use? : r/GuitarAmps

Notes

Studio recording, 1985; Brian May's Red Special with custom switching, into a cranked Vox AC30; treble booster pedal almost certainly used as always in this era. No evidence of additional pedals or rack effects for the riff section. Pickup selection and amp settings inferred from era, genre, and Brian May's known studio approach for this song.

Tone Character(10)

chiming British crunchharmonic-rich and saturatedtight and articulate attackdistinct midrange presencesinging sustainpercussive riff clarityslightly compressed feelbright, cutting top endclassic Queen layered guitardynamic response to picking

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated picking, dynamic palm muting, and precise timing to match the layered, percussive Queen sound. While not technically virtuosic, the rhythmic complexity and ensemble tightness make it challenging for intermediate players.

Create Free Account

More Queen tones

Queen gear & all tones →

One Vision (Single Version) by Queen — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt