Killer Queen amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Queen guitar tone for “Killer Queen”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Ibanez RG550. Studio version, Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
Red Special (bridge+middle in series) → Silicon treble booster → Vox AC30 Normal channel (cranked), room mic blended for ambience
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 5 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 5 |
01Treble Booster (e.g., BSM RM, Catalinbread Naga Viper, or TC Electronic Spark Mini as clean boost)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This is essential to the Brian May sound; it pushes mids and adds harmonic richness. Without it, increase amp gain to 6 and treble to 6, but you'll lose some of the singing quality.
The DSL40CR is mid-forward like the AC30 but has more inherent gain and a tighter low end. Use Classic Gain channel to stay smooth—Ultra Gain would be too aggressive. Mids pushed to 7 compensates for the RG550's brighter, thinner humbuckers vs the Red Special's fat in-series wiring. Presence dropped to 4 because Marshalls get fizzy where AC30s stay creamy. Treble held at 5 (vs the original's brighter booster) because the RG's humbuckers are already articulate.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
Get ToneAdapt on Google PlaySong, 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.