Riff Tone

Under Pressure

Queen & David Bowie

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarBrian May Red Special (homemade, 3 Burns Tri-Sonic single-coil pickups, custom wiring)

AmpVox AC30 (likely 1970s Top Boost, cranked, studio recording)

PickupsBurns Tri-Sonic single-coil (custom, wired in series for thicker tone)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown Treble Booster (Dallas Rangemaster style, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1981. Brian May's Red Special into cranked Vox AC30s, likely with a Dallas Rangemaster-style treble booster in front. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. No chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the riff. The tone is dry and direct, with natural amp overdrive. Pickup selection is likely bridge + middle in series, as per May's signature rhythm sound. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

British amp crunchThick, mid-forward rhythmArticulate attackPunchy and focused low endBright but not harshSlight natural compressionNasal, signature Red Special qualityDirect, unprocessed soundAmp-driven overdriveNo modulation or time-based effects

Difficulty

The riff is iconic but technically accessible, requiring tight rhythmic precision and consistent palm muting, but no advanced techniques or fast passages.

Sources

How to get Brian May's Red Special tones from a Strat or Les Paul Brian May rig tour: “Brian's not going to use a Fractal rackmount and ...

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