GuitarDistortedSolo
Crazy Little Thing Called Love Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Queen
Queen · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Telecaster (likely 1970s, possibly black or blonde, used for solo section)
Pickups
Fender single-coil Telecaster bridge pickup
Amp
Vox AC30 (likely 1970s Top Boost, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1979. Brian May used a Telecaster for the solo at producer Reinhold Mack's suggestion to achieve a James Burton-style rockabilly tone. The rest of the song uses different guitars, but the solo is confirmed Telecaster. No pedals are confirmed for the studio solo; May's usual treble booster may not have been used. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects in the solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain4
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and twangy
- articulate and percussive
- edge-of-breakup clarity
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- minimal sustain
- quick note decay
- tight midrange
- slightly compressed
- clean with a biting edge
- clear separation between notes