Bohemian Rapsody amp settings — Headrush MX5
The Queen guitar tone for “Bohemian Rapsody”, dialed in for a Headrush MX5 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, A Night at the Opera (1975) — main guitar solo and rock section
Red Special (Burns Tri-Sonic pickups in series) + Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster + cranked Vox AC30 Normal Channel
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 8 |
01Treble Booster block (Rangemaster model)
Placed first in chain to slam the front of the AC30 model
02Tape Delay block
Post-amp block set for subtle studio space and doubling width
The Headrush AC30 model combined with the Treble Booster block precisely replicates Brian May's cranked Normal channel driven by a Rangemaster. To compensate for the Fender Stratocaster's standard parallel single coils versus the Red Special's series Tri-Sonics, select the neck+middle position and roll the tone knob down to 7 to round off single-coil glassiness and thicken the lower mids. Amp bass is kept tight at 4 so the treble-boosted midrange stays articulate without flubbing out.
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These settings are for a Headrush MX5. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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