TONEDB

lead guitar from “bohemian rhapsody” by queen | ToneDB

bohemian rhapsody

queen

lead guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is characterized by its smooth, singing sustain and a warm, slightly overdriven sound, perfect for melodic lines. It's a very vocal-like tone, with a clear emphasis on upper-midrange frequencies to help it cut through the mix.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

The Story

Brian May's lead guitar tone on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was achieved using his homemade 'Red Special' guitar through multiple Vox AC30 amplifiers. The Red Special's unique construction with Burns Tri-Sonic pickups and May's distinctive technique of using a sixpence coin as a pick contributed to the tone's vocal-like quality. The track was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales with producer Roy Thomas Baker and engineer Mike Stone, likely using a Neumann U67 microphone positioned to capture both the direct amp sound and room ambience.

Production Credits

Producer: Roy Thomas Baker

Engineer: Mike Stone

Recorded at: Rockfield Studios, Wales

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a guitar that has single-coil pickups or a humbucker voiced to emulate single-coils.
  • Use a Vox AC30 model or a similar-sounding amplifier with the gain set to achieve a moderate amount of overdrive.
  • Experiment with boosting the upper-midrange frequencies to enhance the clarity and vocal-like quality of the tone.
  • Consider using a light compression to even out the dynamics and increase sustain.
  • Try using a lighter pick to achieve a similar attack and feel.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Burns Brian May Red SpecialShop on Reverb$1,500-$2,000

Alternative to: Red Special guitar with Burns Tri-Sonic pickups

Official recreation of May's homemade guitar with authentic Tri-Sonic pickups and mahogany construction

Vox AC30C2XShop on Reverb$1,200-$1,400

Alternative to: Multiple Vox AC30 amplifiers

Modern version of the classic AC30 circuit that delivers the same chiming overdrive May used

Vox AC30 plugin (Universal Audio)Plugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Multiple Vox AC30 amplifiers

Digital recreation of the AC30 sound that can be layered multiple times to simulate May's multi-amp approach

Fender Player StratocasterShop on Reverb$650-$750

Alternative to: Red Special guitar

Single-coil pickups provide similar clarity and articulation to the Tri-Sonics, budget-friendly option

Warm Audio WA-67Shop on Reverb$900-$1,100

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Affordable tube condenser that captures the warm, detailed sound of vintage U67 recordings

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!