How to Dial In "It's Late" by Queen - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "It's Late"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an AC30. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
Standard tuning. Notable as one of the first recorded uses of two-hand tapping on a hit rock record — May uses it in the middle section, and it predates 'Eruption' by a year. The chain is May's constant: the homemade Red Special through a treble booster into AC30s on the Normal channel, all gain from the amp and none from a distortion pedal. His pick is a sixpence coin held edge-on, which is why the attack is so hard and metallic; a stiff plectrum gets closer than a flexible one. The layered harmony guitars are separate tracked passes a third apart, not chords, so a single guitar will sound noticeably thinner. Keep the mids high so the stacked parts stay distinguishable.
Common Questions About the "It's Late" Tone
What guitar did Queen use on "It's Late"?
Queen recorded "It's Late" (released 1977) before the Brian May Guitars Red Special came out; it is named above as a modern equivalent. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "It's Late" need?
On an AC30: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 8. 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 "It's Late" without an AC30?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "It's Late" 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.
What pedals are on "It's Late"?
The original signal chain for "It's Late" runs through Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "It's Late" by Queen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.