GuitarDistortedRiff
Innuendo Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Queen
Queen · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Brian May Red Special (homemade electric guitar)
Pickups
Tri-Sonic single coils (modified, series wiring, phase switching)
Amp
Vox AC30/6 (Normal channel, likely 1990s model, no built-in effects)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (series, phase in)
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.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Pete Cornish Treble Boost · boost
- TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger · modulation
Red Special → Pete Cornish Treble Boost → TC Electronic SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger → Vox AC30/6 (Normal channel)
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Tone Character
- British crunch with clear note separation
- rich harmonic overtones
- tight, articulate rhythm
- slightly compressed attack
- chorus/flanger shimmer
- medium gain with clarity
- full-bodied midrange
- distinctive Red Special sustain
- not overly saturated
- dynamic response to picking