Queen
Greatest Hits I, II & III: The Platinum Collection · 1975
Amp settings (as recorded)
The recording
The guitar solo for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was recorded by Brian May using his self-built Red Special guitar. The signal chain relied on a Dallas Rangemaster treble booster feeding into a pushed Vox AC30, creating the signature 'throaty' and compressed harmonic tone. While the 'Deacy' amp (built by John Deacon) is associated with many of May's layered guitar parts and symphonic sounds, the primary studio solo tone for Bohemian Rhapsody is anchored by the AC30/Treble Booster combination.
Tuning
StandardRecording Signal Chain · 3 items
Red Special
Brian May/Harold May
Lead
Neck and middle pickups in series and out-of-phase
Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
Boost
Used as the primary gain stage to push the AC30
AC30 Top Boost
Vox
Amplification
Used at high volume for natural power amp saturation
Tone Characteristics
ToneTwin