Real AmpTuning: E StandardPickup: BridgeMost AccurateCrunch
Champions Vocal Duel — Rhythm Bed & Out-of-Phase Answers
May rebuilt much of the guitar arrangement immediately before mixing, adding answering phrases designed to fight with Freddie Mercury’s vocal rather than inserting a conventional solo. The lead pickup setting is documented as neck and middle with the middle out of phase; exact amp controls were not published, so the AC30 values are representative. Source: Guitar World’s Queen track-by-track interview (2024) and Red Special tone guide (2020).
Signal Chain
Brian May Red Special→Dallas Rangemaster-style Treble Booster→Vox AC30→Vox AC30 2x12 with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers→Output
GuitarBrian May Red Special
Tone
10
PickupBridge
TuningE Standard
Volume
6
Pickup DetailRepresentative bridge + middle, in phase
PedalDallas Rangemaster-style Treble Booster
ModeAlways on
Boost8
AmpVox AC30
Cut0
InputHigh
Volume
10
ChannelNormal
Cab / IRVox AC30 2x12 with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers
MicClose dynamic/condenser blend
Mic PositionSlightly off-axis
Notes
Think of the final guitar as a second singer. Keep the rhythm supportive, then perform the lead responses boldly enough to challenge the vocal without covering it.
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See the same signal chain mapped to another platform. Knob values carry over as starting points — gain ranges differ between platforms.