VOX ToneLab Patch Exchange

Some folks underestimate the part Brian's 'Red Special' guitar plays in his sound (estimated by some to be ~30% of his sound.) I listened to a lot of Queen in the mid-80s and really dug Brian's approach to guitar...measured in versatility and quality of the sounds he plays, not the notes-per-second like many 'guitar gods' of that decade.

The phase-switching and on/off on each series-wired pickup the Red Special really does allow for some interesting sounds even without effects. Case in point, the solo for 'We Will Rock You'...probably the most instantly-recognizable May riff...it's easy to play, but hard to make sound exactly like Brian's sound. While I'll keep noodling away at the puzzle, I'm of the belief that the portion I can't get quite right might well be due to: 1) guitar setup and 2) skill (I'm no Brian May.)

(For more reading about the Red Special and other interesting bits: http://www.brianmayworld.com/BrianMaysound.htm.)

I've got the mind to try and tune TLSE patches for the following May solos: 1) 'Killer Queen' (pitch shift/octave doubler with thick mids...probably octave doubling was probably a tape/studio effect, but can't hurt to try); 2) 'Someone To Love' / 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (screeching high harmonics from phase-switched pickups...going to try to approximate with pitch shifter or octave doubler.) I'll post them when I get some time away from work and team practice to get them created.

As a final note on the May sound patches on the TLSE. I love the sound of a cranked AC30, but it is a bit thin on gain for some things I play. (The MAYTONE (TL) patch was the basis for my "classic British" patch.) I often put one of the OD stompboxes in front of it (in place of the Treble Booster) to get some more sustain. Not quite the classic May sound, but more pleasing to my ear and playing style. Without the stompbox, great for stuff like 'Tie Your Mother Down' and old Sabbath stuff; add the stomp, great for a lot of 80s metal riffs. YMMV, of course.

Thanks and good luck!

-5thumbs

strange you aren't able to download that, did you try downloading from "List of all patches" link on the left ?. they should all be in there, I am not going to download Luteplayers because I believe they all came from here or original TLSE tones.
Also REDSPECIAL are you using the TLSE ?
www.selfdistruction.com

Hey Luitplayer,

I like add some comment on the Queen and Paul Rodgers tour aspecialy on the wall of AC30's.
I've seen them as well in Antwerpen (Europe), fortunenatly I was abel get at the side of the stage and had a good look around. Behind the wall of AC30's was a single Vox ValveTronix situated , with a micophone in front of it (not visible for the audience). The Wall of AC30 were dummys , it looks good but he now is playing on a modeling amp himself .
So it is possible to create "his" sound on a Vox modeling device such as the Tonelab SE or LE, he demonstrated it him self .

The best of luck with it, I hope I din't rewen you image of him.

xxxxx VoxBurns xxxxx

Usually these old Legends have a mound of equipment that they have collected over the years, this said they most likely have "choice live must haves" I really cant believe Tony Iommy needs 6 Laney 100w amps (1971) to now 9, to project his sound 1/4 mile out into the vast audience. I really think they do this for looks as the sound gets amplified 1/8 of a mile through the FOH and to be heard loud close range. although I think the the real secret is sunglasses and porridge for breakfast and that Mic in front of one maybe two cabs (some love the stereo effect most processors have these days) I do think however that the speakers in those cabs do play a slight roll in the tone, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of these guy's have 1 or 2 cabs (stereo) with 4 different speakers to choose to mic there tone, now isn't that a concept ?. But really if you picked up Brian's gear at his show and started playing you may be shocked that you still don't sound "exactly like him". Finding your style and playing other styles we learn to "simulate" their playing, some simulate very well, just take a look at the Aussie Pink Floyd tribute band, but deep down you can here "it's not Gilmour" but "IT WORKS".
as for the laughing smiley you gotta trick out the HTMLyou gotta right click on it , copy link location > enable WYSIWYG mode > use insert image icon > paste link > and post

www.selfdistruction.com

Try looking again under the "Queen" patches or visit Monte's site.

I tried to machine a danish 5 kronen coin to have a pick shape. It is large enough, and has this nice hole in the middle. Interesting experience. Quite special sound, but not "the only secret for the instant Brian May tone". I found it hard to use (round) coins. The pick shape makes it a lot easier to use.

Kaal