GuitarDistortedSolo
Bohemian Rhapsody Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Queen
Queen · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Homemade Brian May Red Special
Pickups
Burns Tri-Sonic single coils (custom-wired, neck + middle in series out-of-phase for solo)
Amp
Vox AC30 (1960s Top Boost, cranked, with Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster in front)
Pickup Position
Neck + Middle pickups in series, out-of-phase (custom Red Special wiring)
Studio recording, 1975. Brian May's original Red Special with unique switching, into a Vox AC30 (Top Boost) with a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster. No other pedals or effects confirmed for the solo. All sources confirm this is the classic studio setup for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' solo.
Amp Settings
Mids7.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster · boost
Brian May Red Special → Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster → Vox AC30 Top Boost (cranked, no effects loop)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- harmonics leap out
- incisive, violin-like lead
- rich, creamy distortion
- warm, orchestral overtones
- clear note separation
- touch-sensitive response
- classic British crunch
- unique out-of-phase pickup sound
- smooth, expressive phrasing