Song Rigs
Brian May — Gear by Song
How Brian May's rig changed track to track — specific amp settings, key gear, and what you need to replicate each tone.
Bohemian Rhapsody (solo)
A Night at the Opera · 1975
The most layered guitar solo in classic rock — May stacked multiple passes of the Red Special through Vox AC30s to build…
Burns Red Special (treble pickup, hand-built by May)Vox AC30 (top-boost channel)
See full rig →We Will Rock You
News of the World · 1977
Almost entirely acoustic — the famous stomp-and-clap rhythm has no electric guitar until the guitar solo at the end. May…
Burns Red Special (bridge pickup)Vox AC30 (fully saturated)
See full rig →Killer Queen
Sheer Heart Attack · 1974
May's most melodically complex guitar work — intricate multi-tracked harmonies with a clean-to-lightly-driven AC30. The …
Burns Red Special (neck pickup, volume 7)Vox AC30 (clean to light breakup)
See full rig →