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Riff Tone
Brighton Rock
Queen
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHomemade Red Special (Brian May's original, 1960s build)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, 1960s/early 70s, non-master volume, cranked)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1974 (Sheer Heart Attack album). All sources agree on Red Special and Vox AC30. Treble booster and tape delay (Echoplex) used. Pickup selection and effects chain confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of additional gain/distortion pedals; distortion from amp and treble booster.
Tone Character(10)
British crunchharmonically richsinging sustaintight and articulateraspy edgetouch-sensitivemidrange bitebright and presentcomplex overtonesdynamic response
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking, intricate chord shapes, and dynamic control to capture the signature Brian May sound, making it challenging for most players.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHomemade Red Special (Brian May's original, 1960s build)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, 1960s/early 70s, non-master volume, cranked)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1974 (Sheer Heart Attack album). All sources agree on Red Special and Vox AC30. Treble booster and tape delay (Echoplex) used. Pickup selection and effects chain confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of additional gain/distortion pedals; distortion from amp and treble booster.
Tone Character(10)
British crunchharmonically richsinging sustaintight and articulateraspy edgetouch-sensitivemidrange bitebright and presentcomplex overtonesdynamic response
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking, intricate chord shapes, and dynamic control to capture the signature Brian May sound, making it challenging for most players.