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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)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
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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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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special (homemade electric guitar)
AmpVox AC30/6 (Normal channel, likely 1990s model, no built-in effects)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
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.