Tone library / Queen / Bohamian rhapsody

Bohamian rhapsody amp settings — Fender Mustang v2

The Queen guitar tone for “Bohamian rhapsody”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang v2 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, A Night at the Opera (1975), Rockfield Studios

Original rig

Brian May Red Special (homemade, out-of-phase pickups) → Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster → Vox AC30 (Top Boost channel, cranked) with Deacy Amp for some layered parts

Thick, orchestral midrange with singing sustain; treble-boosted crunch that stays articulate; signature 'stacked' multi-tracked harmonized guitars

Amp settings — Fender Mustang v2

CHANNEL'65 Twin Reverb model (cleanest high-headroom Fender model available)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	6
Presence	5
Reverb	2
Master	6

Don’t have a Fender Mustang v2? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge+middle TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Zoom GFX2 Four — Treble Booster model (simulating Dallas Rangemaster)

The Rangemaster is THE Brian May sound — it boosts upper mids and adds gritty sustain. If no treble booster model exists on the Zoom, use a TS-style OD with tone at 8, gain at 3, level at 7

Level 7 · Tone 8 · Gain/Drive 5

02Zoom GFX2 Four — Delay (tape-style or analog model)

Short slapback ~300ms adds depth to the solo sections; keep mix subtle

Time 4 · Feedback 3 · Mix 3

Why these settings

Brian May's Red Special has low-output, out-of-phase pickups into a cranked AC30 — your Strat's single coils are brighter and thinner. Compensate by pushing mids to 7 (AC30s are already mid-forward), rolling treble back slightly, and leaning heavily on the treble booster pedal for that singing sustain. The Mustang's Fender models are scooped compared to Vox, so the mid boost is critical. The amp gain stays low because the treble booster provides the grit.

PRO TIPBrian May uses a sixpence coin as a pick — the rounded edge and stiff attack create that distinctive 'vocal' quality. Try a thick 2mm+ pick held at a slight angle, and dig in near the bridge for the solo's bite.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Mustang v2. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.