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Riff Tone
You Take My Breath Away
Queen
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special
AmpVox AC30 (Normal channel, cranked, 1970s model)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1976 (A Day at the Races sessions). No evidence of live or alternate gear for this song's riff section. Brian May's Red Special and Vox AC30 are confirmed for all Queen studio recordings of this era. No evidence of additional pedals for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
chime and jangleslightly compressedharmonically richtouch-sensitivewarm and singing sustainclassic British amp breakupclear note separationmild overdrivenot heavily saturateddynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its dynamic sensitivity, need for clean articulation with mild overdrive, and precise chord voicings typical of Brian May's style.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarBrian May Red Special
AmpVox AC30 (Normal channel, cranked, 1970s model)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1976 (A Day at the Races sessions). No evidence of live or alternate gear for this song's riff section. Brian May's Red Special and Vox AC30 are confirmed for all Queen studio recordings of this era. No evidence of additional pedals for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
chime and jangleslightly compressedharmonically richtouch-sensitivewarm and singing sustainclassic British amp breakupclear note separationmild overdrivenot heavily saturateddynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its dynamic sensitivity, need for clean articulation with mild overdrive, and precise chord voicings typical of Brian May's style.