How to Dial In "I'm Going Slightly Mad" by Queen - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "I'm Going Slightly Mad"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Innuendo (1991), the last Queen album released in Freddie Mercury's lifetime. Brian May's guitar plays long, sustained lines against the vocal rather than a riff. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Brian May Guitars Red Special through a Vox AC30HW2 Hand-Wired (Greenback) stands in. Brian May's Red Special is the guitar behind his Queen playing, but no source available here documents the amp or setup for this track. Use the bridge pickup and set the amp to a medium crunch. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "I'm Going Slightly Mad" Tone
What guitar did Queen use on "I'm Going Slightly Mad"?
The guitar on "I'm Going Slightly Mad" (released 1991) isn't documented; the Brian May Guitars Red Special above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "I'm Going Slightly Mad" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "I'm Going Slightly Mad" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "I'm Going Slightly Mad" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
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Tone references for "I'm Going Slightly Mad" by Queen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.