Classic Rock1975A Night at the Opera

Bohemian Rhapsody Amp Settings

by Queen

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

Original Gear

Guitar: Red Special (homemade by Brian May and father Harold, built 1963)
Pickups: Burns Tri-Sonic single-coil pickups (×3), hand-rewound for reverse polarity. Each has ON/OFF and phase switches. (Solo: Middle + Neck OUT OF PHASE. Hard rock: Middle + Neck IN PHASE. Orchestral: Middle + Neck IN PHASE, tone down.)
Amplifier: Vox AC30 (vintage 1960s, 2×12 Celestions)
Channel: Normal channel ONLY (never Top Boost/Brilliant)
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: varies by section (see pickups position_used)

Brian removes all preamp valves except those serving the Normal channel, freeing power for the power amp section. Distortion achieved entirely through power-amp overdrive at maximum volume. Secondary amp for layered harmonies: Deacy Amp — ~1-watt germanium transistor amp built by John Deacon.

Amp Settings

Gain

10.0

Bass

0.0

Mid

7.0

Treble

0.0

Volume

10.0

Effects Chain

→

Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (germanium OC44-based)

treble boost

→

Maestro Echoplex (tape delay)

delay

→

Foxx Phaser

phaser

→

1.Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (germanium OC44-based) — Mounted on guitar strap. Provides ~25–32dB boost, emphasizing treble while attenuating bass. Drives the AC30's clean Normal channel into smooth saturation.

2.Maestro Echoplex (tape delay) — Spatial depth and rhythmic repeats.

3.Foxx Phaser — Available in studio.

Playing Technique

Pick is a filed sixpence (British coin), giving piercing, bright attack. Wide, aggressive vibrato. Extensive multi-tracking — the song reportedly required ~180 overdubs total. Guitar harmonies individually played and bounced on analog tape.

Sources+

Brian May Guitars official site: pickup configurations and Red Special documentation.
Greg Fryer/Fryer Guitars, brianmayworld.com: AC30 settings documentation (physically verified).
Equipboard (Brian May): comprehensive gear listing.
Boost Guitar Pedals: Dallas Rangemaster analysis.
Guitar World 2021 interview: pickup configuration details for Bohemian Rhapsody sections.
zZounds 'Legends of Tone': Deacy Amp documentation.