How To Sound Like Brian May - Guitar Sounds

A common question often asked is how do I get a guitar sound like Brian May of Queen?

Do I need a Red Special guitar replica?

Do I need a Vox AC-30 amp? 

Should I use a Treble booster?

Do I need to use a sixpence coin as a pick?










The truth is the sound is a combination of a lot of different factors. 
A Red Special replica guitar isn't going to magically produce the unique tones you've heard on your favorite Queen record.



The Red Special guitar gets it's unique tonal possibilities from the way the three Burns Tri Sonic pickups are wired with the in and out of phase selector switches. You can achieve a Brian May sound with a Stratocaster but it isn't going to have the same amount of tonal possibilties.

A Treble Booster is an essential piece of kit and without it you are not going to really get anywhere. There are number of different kinds available and I believe Brian May uses Greg Fryer Treble Boosters 

Brian May uses Vox AC30 amps live on stage. Brian's amp are modified to his own unique spec.
In the video below Craig Farley demonstrates the difference between an off the shelf AC30 and a modified version

In the studio Brian May didn't always use VOX AC30 amp like many think, He relied on the famous DEACY amp made by John Deacon. This was built from an old speaker and a radio circuit board and powered by a battery. Mixed with the Red Special and a treble booster many of the unique guitar tones we hear on Queen records were created

In the 2003 Vox produced the Vox BM1 with the help of Brian May to produce a Deacy sounding amplifier with a built in treble booster.
James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition reviews the amp in the video below

WHERE CAN I BUY A BRIAN MAY GUITAR?

Now discontinues as is the Vox BM1 Digitech produced a Brian May pedal which produced many classic Brian May sounds.

In the below video we look at how to produced a Brian May guitar sound using Guitar Rig 5 Software

The Beatles - Complete Chord Songbook

The Beatles - Complete Chord Songbook

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak - Guitar Tutorial (Guitar Tab)

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak - Guitar Tutorial (Guitar Tab)

In this weeks video James takes a look at how to play on guitar the title track from Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak album

"Jailbreak" is a song by Thin Lizzy that originally appeared as the title track on their 1976 album Jailbreak. Along with "The Boys Are Back in Town", it is one of their most popular songs, and is a classic rock radio staple, receiving steady airplay.

It is typical of the band's music, with the dual lead guitar harmony and Brian Robertson's use of the wah-wah pedal. Phil Lynott's lyrics about a prison break are the typical personification of the "tough guys", also seen in "The Boys Are Back in Town" and the regular concert closer and fan favourite "The Rocker". An alternate version of the song appeared on the bonus disc of the 2011 remastered deluxe edition of the Jailbreak album, featuring a short spoken introduction and additional guitar parts throughout.

video by James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields www.rock-licks.com

Johnny Cash - When The Man Comes Around - Guitar Tutorial

Johnny Cash - When The Man Comes Around - Guitar Tutorial


video by James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields www.rock-licks.com

Johnny Cash - When The Man Comes Around - Guitar Play Along (Chord Boxes)

Johnny Cash - When The Man Comes Around - Guitar Play Along (Chord Boxes)

In this video James plays the track along with the record with chord boxes on screen to make following along easy

"The Man Comes Around" is the title track from Johnny Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around, released in 2002. It was actually written a few years earlier; however, Cash updated it for the album. It is one of the last songs Cash wrote before his death. Both sung and spoken, the song makes numerous Biblical references, especially to the Book of Revelation

video by James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields www.rock-licks.com

U2 - One guitar chords

In this video James looks at how to play U2 - One from the Achtung Baby album

"One" is a rock ballad played in a 4/4 time signature at a tempo of 91 beats per minute. The verse follows a chord progression of Am–D–Fmaj₇–G while the chorus follows C–Am–Fmaj₇–C.

Bono described the song's theme as such: "It is a song about coming together, but it's not the old hippie idea of 'Let's all live together.' It is, in fact, the opposite. It's saying, We are one, but we're not the same. It's not saying we even want to get along, but that we have to get along together in this world if it is to survive. It's a reminder that we have no choice". The Edge described it on one level as a "bitter, twisted, vitriolic conversation between two people who've been through some nasty, heavy stuff". On another level, he suggested that the line "we get to carry each other" introduces "grace" to the song and that the wording "get to" (instead of "got to") is essential, as it suggests that it is a privilege to help one another, not an obligation. The band have been told by many fans that they played the song at their weddings, prompting Bono to respond, "Are you mad? It's about splitting up

Video by James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields www.rock-licks.com

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion - Guitar Tutorial (Guitar Chord Boxes)

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion - Guitar Tutorial (Guitar Chord Boxes)



In this video James looks at the REM classic song arranging it for one guitar



Rock Licks Guitar Tuition www.rock-licks.com

The Beatles Abbey Road - Guitar Tab Book

The Beatles - Abbey Road (Guitar Recorded Versions)

(Guitar Recorded Versions). Matching folio to the classic album, including the songs: Come Together * Here Comes the Sun * Octopus's Garden * Something * and more.

The Beatles - Revolver - Guitar Tab Book

The Beatles - Revolver - Guitar Tab Book 

Revolver

*

Taxman

*

Eleanor Rigby

*

I'm Only Sleeping

*

Love You To

*

Here, There And Everywhere

*

Yellow Submarine

*

She Said She Said

*

Good Day Sunshine

*

And Your Bird Can Sing

*

For No One

*

Doctor Robert

*

I Want To Tell You

*

Got To Get You Into My Life

*

Tomorrow Never Knows

To Buy This Book

https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Revolver-Guitar-Recorded-Version/dp/0793526221

Brian May The Greatest Rock Guitarist Ever .... Viewers Opinions - THE KILLER QUEEN CHAT SHOW EP with Marc S Knight & James Rundle

Brian May is one of the greatest and most influential rock guitarists of all time.
In this episode of The Killer Queen Chat Show, Marc S Knight and James Rundle discuss the Brian's guitar playing style and influnce of modern music