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lead guitar from “bohemian rhapsody” by queen | ToneDB

bohemian rhapsody

queen

lead guitar

95% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A thick, searing, and vocal-like lead tone with rich harmonics and sustain, achieved through a unique guitar, treble booster, and cranked valve amps.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Brian May Red Special

Amp: Vox AC30 (multiple, driven hard)

Microphone: Shure SM57 / Neumann U87 (likely)

Processing: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (or similar custom treble booster), Studio Plate Reverb, Studio Tape Delay/Echo

Other: Use of a sixpence coin as a pick. Multiple layered guitar tracks recorded for harmonies. Volume knob manipulation for dynamics.

Recording Notes

  • The core tone involves the Red Special guitar's unique pickup switching, a treble booster pedal, and Vox AC30 amplifiers turned up loud.
  • Multiple guitar parts were meticulously layered to create the orchestral harmonies and thick solo sound.
  • Studio effects like reverb and tape echo were added during the mixing process.
  • The Deacy Amp might have been used for some layered textures, but the main solo tone is widely attributed to the AC30s.
  • Microphone placement likely involved close-miking the amplifier cabinets.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a guitar with humbucker-style pickups (ideally series wiring options if available).
  • Place a treble booster pedal first in your chain.
  • Run the treble booster into a Vox AC30-style amplifier (or simulation) set to the edge of breakup or slightly overdriven.
  • Use the bridge pickup, possibly combined with the middle pickup in series (a common Red Special setting).
  • Use a hard pick (like a coin) for a sharper attack.
  • Focus on precise bending, wide vibrato, and smooth legato technique.
  • Experiment with your guitar's volume knob to control gain and dynamics.
  • Add delay (around 80-160ms) and reverb post-amp for space.

Sources