Bohemian Rhapsody

The recording

May recorded his parts on Bohemian Rhapsody using his hand‑built Red Special, picking with a six‑pence coin for a brighter attack. He selected the bridge and middle pickups wired in series and out of phase, giving the solo its thin, articulate character. The guitar fed into a Dallas Rangemaster treble booster, which was then run into the Top Boost channel of a Vox AC30, driving the amp into a creamy, saturated overdrive while preserving high‑frequency sparkle. The parts were double‑tracked and layered to create the massive guitar harmonies heard in the rock section.

Reported gear

1965 Red Special (custom)

Guitar

May’s hand‑built Red Special, featuring three Burns Tri‑Sonic pickups and an out‑of‑phase switch, was used for all guitar parts, delivering a bright, singing tone.

Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster

Treble Booster

A Dallas Rangemaster treble booster was placed before the amp, adding a high‑frequency boost and driving the Vox AC30 into a sparkling overdrive.

Vox AC30 (1960s)

Amp

May cranked the Top Boost channel of a Vox AC30, using its natural breakup to produce the creamy, mid‑range saturated tone that defines the rock section.

Alternatives

Gibson Les Paul Standard (modern)

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Red Special (custom)

$2,500 to $3,500

Vox AC30 (reissue)

Reissue · for the Vox AC30 (1960s)

$1,500 to $2,800

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Budget alternative · for the Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use a six‑pence coin or a hard pick for a brighter attack.
2. 2.Select the bridge and middle pickups in series and out of phase for the solo tone.
3. 3.Place a treble booster in front of a Vox AC30 to achieve the characteristic high‑gain sparkle.
4. 4.Set the AC30’s Top Boost channel to high volume and keep the tone knob open.
5. 5.Double‑track the guitar parts and pan them for the thick harmonic wall.