Real AmpTuning: E StandardPickup: Bridge + NeckMost AccurateCrunch

Queen Debut Phase Swirl — Out-of-Phase Riff & Orchestrated Lead

The signature riff uses the Red Special’s bridge and neck pickups with the neck out of phase, while the early Queen sound combines treble-boosted Vox AC30 drive with prominent phasing and layered lead guitars. The Foxx Foot Phaser is closely associated with recreating the track, but exact original control positions are not documented, so the values below are representative. Source: Guitar World’s Red Special pickup guide, Guitar Player’s Brian May studio interview, and Brian May’s official song demonstration.

Signal Chain

Brian May Red SpecialDallas Rangemaster-style Treble BoosterFoxx Foot PhaserVox AC30Vox AC30 2x12 with Celestion Alnico Blue speakersOutput
GuitarBrian May Red Special
Tone
10
PickupBridge + Neck
TuningE Standard
Volume
8
Pickup DetailBridge + neck, neck out of phase
PedalDallas Rangemaster-style Treble Booster
ModeAlways on
Boost8
PedalFoxx Foot Phaser
Mix
5
Rate2.5
Depth
6
Feedback
4
AmpVox AC30
Cut0
InputHigh
Volume
10
ChannelNormal
Cab / IRVox AC30 2x12 with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers
MicClose dynamic + room mic
Mic PositionOff-axis close mic with subtle room blend

Notes

Set the phaser slow enough that the sweep moves across several beats. Preserve the thin out-of-phase bite in the riff and record harmony lines separately for the lead sections.

Don't have this gear?

See the same signal chain mapped to another platform. Knob values carry over as starting points — gain ranges differ between platforms.

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