What effects does Brian May use for "We Will Rock You"

[thenagus]

Apart from the Homemade RedSpecial -> Treble Booster -> Fully cranked AC30 Norman channel, I believe he also used a touch of chorus (a CE-1). Definately no foxx phaser, or wah.

[Vince]

there is chorus on there, but not a CE-1. He used 3 AC30's. 1 Centre, dirty. 1 panned left, 800ms or very short delay. 1 Panned right, 1600ms or very short delay.

He likes the sound of chorus, but doesn't run a standard chorus in his chain, but he adds a very slight, different delay to each of his left and right AC30's which gives them a bit of depth and the chorus sound.

I don't think I'm making much sense, but you get the idea...

[gillibi]

Originally posted by alteredsounds he could also have the Foxx wah on a 'sweet spot'?

 

I always thought that it was a Foxx Phaser.

[Teahead]

Vince has nailed it already, but here's an excellent article on the Brian May sound anyway.

[thenagus]

The slight delay thing is what he does nowadays, but wasn't back then. He used the stereo output of a CE-1.Not in everything, but often. You'll find mention of it here, for example:

http://www.petecornish.co.uk/queen.html

 

I can't find the damn interview (or wesbite post?) ATM, but I'm 98% sure I've seen him say he used the chorus on the WWRY solo. (Although, certainly on the studio recording, it's not very obvious.)

 

gillibi, btw, is right- the Foxx is a phaser (with a manual sweep control.) Just been re-issued too, complete with the propper fuzzy enclosure:

http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?storyCode=12788

http://www.astrings.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/62?osCsid=fcf76797322bb57315eb89e759314922

 

When he did use wah in ye olde days, it was a Vox wah I believe. Uses a crybaby now.

 

As an interesting side note, I am reliably informed by his site that in his last couple of tours he's been using a TC Electronic G-Force FX unit for chorus and harmonizer.