Brian May's 9 Vox AC30s!!

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See how the ‪@Queen‬ guitarist rocks arenas with a massive ‪@VoxAmpsVideos‬ AC30 backdrop.
If there was a Mount Rushmore of British guitar heroes, undoubtedly, @Queen Official 's Brian May would grace that mountain. We caught up with May and his longtime guitar tech Pete Malandrone on Queen's summer tour with Adam Lambert to talk about his minimal effects, Vox amps, and of course, the Red Special.
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Watch the Episode: bit.ly/BrianMayRigRundown Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin

[@swamification]

Proves just how great Brian May is to have Robert Plant as his tech!

[@randalclarke5487]

Huh????🤔

[@user-ro4cu7om2g]

⁉️❓❔❕❕

[@chrisward4576]

Um..... that's not Robert Plant

[@nopodemosmas]

😂😂😂😂

[@SuperZiggyCraft]

I SWEAR IT WAS JUST ME THAT THOUGHT THAT

[@joe6096]

Those AC30s get creamy rich at full saturation. Sublime sound. People think Brian is playing hard but he's actually playing with a very light touch.

[@msromike123]

"it's really easy to setup" Turn everything to max on the normal channel. You HAVE to love this!

[@sonorational6521]

Brian doesn't mess around with tone shaping, crank them all up and we're good lol

[@daniellurman9093]

Yeah, I noticed that too! Everything on max, got it!

[@melonah]

You mean crank..crack is what musicians in the 80s mostly did

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@melonah I have heard was a N.Y. huge trend, the rest of the world was saving for more safe ... fun

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

But , his British sounds is appreciated by few ...

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

Sonorational Yep. He has never used distortion pedals, that comes from his amplifiers at full volume.

[@RobertNolan]

I love it, everything just dimed and Brian controls it all with his volume on the guitar.

[@3.halbzeit713]

I love how Brian sets up his Amplifiers. But damn my ears would already fall of from one Ac30 at full volume xD

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

Lol you need some in ear monitors

[@peteyoung7665]

@@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61In ears suck.And one AC30 is not loud.3 100 watt Marshall heads with 6 cabs is loud..he.

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

@@peteyoung7665 I've never used in ears to old school. I'm thinking Brian uses stack after stack after stack of Vox Amps on stage

[@KeeperOfPoops]

This was one of the most special rig rundowns and probably my favorite, it was nice to see Pete talk about this iconic setup and also my favorite part was when Brian sat down and talked of the origin of Red Special as well as some of the specs what a video!

[@j_freed]

A good live sound engineer is an acoustic sculptor of great Mastery.

[@joeyb4ever]

When he played Seattle about a decade ago he used one amplifier (mic'd) and one empty shell on top of it. That was it. I worked the stage for that show.

[@brugges]

Now he needs to cover lambert's voice on stage

[@rwlane]

@@brugges 😂👍

[@AtomicExtremophile]

@@brugges lol I loathe Lambert, he's tuned Queen into its own tribute band.

[@jonlag3000]

Haha someone got a labelmaker for Christmas! 😀

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

“So if you give me your silly American girlie power, I can ... make it man’s power... stuff that’ll kill you.” 😆. If and when Vox decides to build an official, authorized Brian May AC 30, THIS comment belongs in all the sales ads.

[@bear8903]

I would definitely buy an old 60s/70s style brian may vox thatd be awesome

[@Lack0]

Actually there's an official vox AC30BM just like his modified amps. Also with built in treble booster and a switch for 15w.

[@tomdick693]

yeah, its a good thing the American girlie power saved england in WWi and WWII..... your're welcome btw

[@JN-North.Guitars]

@@tomdick693 yawn yawn!

[@JN-North.Guitars]

It’s called humour! Irony, sarcasm! He’s not serious!

[@chrissmith7669]

The Video on KZbin where Brian explains he’s playing into one amp you hear directly with the signal going through a delay for the next amp and a second delay for the third was stunning. His setup is worthy of an astrophysicist.

[@roverwaters3875]

I believe at Wembley 86 he had a fourth one solely for chorus effect. I might be wrong but he did have more active amps on stage back then.

[@chrissmith7669]

@@roverwaters3875 the Video where May demonstrates the delay and how he uses it is just amazing.

[@ImpostorModanica]

@@chrissmith7669 Do you have a link?

[@chrissmith7669]

@@ImpostorModanica ; In this Video he demonstrates the single then dual delays and how he uses them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqSbaHqrpLSpj9E

[@paulsimmons5726]

Gutted AC-30's, turned wide-ass open with a homemade guitar (or spot-on replicas)... And yet, the magic's in his fingers. Great video and explanation of Dr Bri's amp set-up.

[@Red.be89]

You missed where he said it runs through a wet-dry-wet stereo rack for effects too :P

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

I don't believe he uses the replicas live. It's always the original RS. But I do believe he has a replica or two as backup if needed.

[@Stefan-]

Its very cool that the guitar he has played his whole career is a guitar made from a table among other things that he and his father made because he couldnt afford a good guitar.

[@user-lx3dn9bt9e]

@@the_minimalistic_adventure he uses replicas live. He loves he prefers his old Lady, but for some songs he takes replicas kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHvCgJSjjZKDd5o

[@50gary]

When I saw Queen back in 1977 Nov. 18th in Detroit Mesonic aud. Brian May used four rows of four vox AC 30 total of 16. They were arrayed on four 'stair steps', he called it his rock orchestra.

[@peteraustin370]

And according to his own comments.....only the specially doctored pair were ever switched on....!!!!!!

[@davebain1982]

All 16 were never ever used at the same time..... Just like now all 9 are never ever used at the same time

[@RyanAmplification]

This is pretty much exactly how I used set up for my Knights of Columbus and Friday night church gigs back in the day...

[@ix-Xafra]

Coolest rig rundown I think I've seen. We call them valves here downunder as well Ya get get toothpaste in tubes

[@stevep2430]

And don't forget the man power.

[@samueljett7807]

I thought this video was like 8 years old until I looked at the description. Very consistent over the years...

[@Putaspellonyou]

He used to carry 12. Glad to see he's toning down in his old age.

[@DandamanV]

There's no "toning down", there's still plenty of tone there!

[@dieterdeclercq]

@@DandamanV wooosh

[@_-_Michael_-_]

......to 9......

[@narvul]

I count 11.

[@josephpbrown]

@@dieterdeclercq you're the one who's missing the joke here

[@jameso2610]

This gave me a whole new level of respect for sound engineers

[@maxxm28]

Wow what an incredible setup and great insight into Brian May's rig. I can't imagine playing live through one Vox AC 30 at full power, let alone three. I bet the sound onstage is out of this world.

[@vayabroder729]

AC30’s are louder than hell; can’t imagine that mountain 😉

[@peteyoung7665]

It's not loud.It's only 30 watts and two speakers.A 100 watt Marshall full stack is loud=8 speakers.

[@otxoto]

This kind of videos are amazing! I love to learn from the big ones.

[@SmithWesson90]

This tech is Legend level. I wish i could learn from him. That dude is a plethora of knowledge.

[@mrlt1151]

Good to know that Brian is on team send it.

[@michaelhowe9106]

Was quite pleased to see it’s in essence quite a straightforward setup - but just turned up really loud.

[@thewhiplash8529]

He’s right about “silly American power” Ac30s, Marshalls...sound MUCH better when used on the power they were designed to use.

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

I think he's talking about North American 120v power as opposed to European 220volts.

[@andrew6978]

@@ezekielbrockmann114 And 50 vs 60 hz.

[@vayabroder729]

Those three on the floor are Korg era Voxes; when the Marshall factory built them in the ‘90’s.

[@JMac.]

Was literally looking at the pictures of this last night lol... what a sight... an epic wall of Vox deliciousness.

[@garajplaz3513]

My favorite amp for both guitar and bass. I used to rig my AMP amp to go out through a vox and then tweaked the bass signal over EQ, but it was the cleanest , warmest bass sound.

[@perrysar5954]

BRILLIANT!... playing through various combos for true sound separation and a modular amp set up for different tones and pedals!

[@jk-76]

Oh man, just one of those please!

[@Username89039]

Fascinating, thanks a bunch for this video. But 3 x AC30s all running at full chat?! Is Brian's hair some kind of acoustic dampener to stop him going deaf?

1:00 but that's the speaker I've got in my Orange Tiny Terror. As it turns out, I've been sounding like Brian May all along.

[@davebain2656]

No one sounds like Brian May. Wouldn't even matter if you had his rig cloned to the smallest of specs, no one will ever sound like any other guitarist, it's all in the fingers my friend

[@Gilyslas]

It would be nice to have one of those classic amps :)

[@deboisblanc]

I worked at The Pyramid in Memphis for about 10 years at and at The Mid South Coliseum for about 10 years before that and saw just about everyone come through and all of their set ups.

[@paulmiller8367]

B May one of the best not many will remember the sound of this amp VOX I can remember Super Beatle amp back in the day also one of the best and they just keep rocking in the new world Ty for posting

[@brianmay6212]

Your welcome, thank you

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I would kill to have a Super Beatle. Those things are awesome. I love my AC30 and AC10 though. Super Beatles are worth a FORTUNE now! Apparently Jimmy Page was using one on Whole Lotta Love.

[@brianmay6212]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 thank you for the love and support

[@mauriceloeff4532]

Best guitar sound I've heard with some distance. Love the other bands I've heard (even my favorite) but none of them (big or small) sounded as great as this rig. 1 chord into the first song and I knew this sound was going to be something special and it really was.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

AC270

[@johnnymegabyte]

not quite. only 6 working.

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

They look so nice and fun to me as a guitar composer, time to go shopping for new gear this holiday season!

[@sillysausage4549]

What's a "guitar composer"?

[@Yumaky]

@@sillysausage4549 Someone that composes guitars.

[@scottdunn2178]

Those original JMI Vox AC-30's spent more time on the repair bench than they did on stage. They were notorious for breaking down if you looked at them wrong.

[@middle_pickup]

I hear that all the time, but I know people who have toured with original 64 and 65 AC30/6 amps. They didn't have that kind of failure with theirs. I think it's overhyped. I'd be more concerned trying to gig with a modern Chinese amp.

[@middle_pickup]

@@powertothebauer296 the custom classic amps were shit. The current custom amps seem to be better, but my UK 🇬🇧 Vox hasn't given me trouble really either.

[@joethrelfall6370]

These are not standard vox ac30s they are point to point wired. These ones were built by Greg fryer.

[@SolamenteVees]

You could heat a small neighborhood with all of the heat generated by those amps...

[@brianmay6212]

So true and accurate.

[@jnelson1600]

I was waiting for him to say “Lonnnnnnnnggg strokes, and don’t dabble.........and don’t smoke”

[@Bulletguy07]

@J Nelson Though Brian is said to be an anti-smoker I can't help but wonder how much of that is just media hype because his guitar technician smokes....and of course Freddy also did.

[@neubern]

Nice rig! I almost got jealous, but then I´ve remembered each of these weight more than 30kg.

[@blizzbee]

He even say sorry for saying "valve" 😆

[@PlottingTheDownfall]

before I ever learned how BM runs his AC30s, I was doing the same to mine - normal channel, no tone stack, no MV one blue and one 70th anniversary in my cab. Just an awesome sound, and then I'll hit it with a zendrive or timmy of I want a bit thicker overdrive.

[@tombarber8929]

That tech is great. "This power supply will take your girly American power, and turn it into manly power!"

[@Jmexis]

Met him once, told him I loved him

[@thehound2161]

He could get even more British power if he plugged in more than 3 of those 10 AC's. He is boasting about the power, but we see it is actually just a fake show of power. Typical Brit. Fake and boasting about it.

[@j_freed]

Famous last words. ⚡️ I believe if you earth yourself with 220 V AC, you just vaporize? 💨

[@Flornmonk]

@@thehound2161 Who hurt you?

[@Keigan884]

He seems like such a nice cool guy!

[@aliendroneservices6621]

They need to feature this dude in Spinal Tap 2.

[@twentism2488]

in the 80's ( I spotted this one in the Live Aid) Brian carried 16 amps if I'm not mistaken.

[@davebain1982]

Not all 16 amps were ever used at the same time, just like now not all 9 are used, only 3

[@greywebs1944]

My late father use to have VOX not sure if it's the same as these ? I was very young at the time, but the sound quality was superb through his 1961 Fender Stratocaster which stays in the family. I have a Fender Stratocaster 1984 Creamy guitar. That was my other father's guitar as a back up on stage, but he never really got on with that one. But always kept it and played it through a Peavey instead of the VOX 🎸 VOX eventually he sold to a friend for studio work/band practice. Lovely amps great sound and yes a warmth certainly shows on stage.

[@luisvegano]

1:47 classic Pete

[@Skoora]

Interesting. Looks like he’s using just 421’s for mics. Wouldn’t normally see that being the lone mic for a guitar cab.

[@Liveengineer]

Proven old school Nuclear Blast Handlers

[@middle_pickup]

I understand the decision for the 421. The more common choice of the 57 would have less bass content, and Brian's tone is pretty cutting as is. I imagine the 421 sounds great on his tone.

[@Fafafohi]

Amazing!

[@denniscameracorner]

This actually was at the 2014-2015 tour.

[@alessioschiavi8484]

Nice video about British and American accents 🙂

[@TheShadows50]

Este amplificador, se hizo famoso en 1960 cuando The Shadows grabaron su versión de "Apache" que llegó al Nº 1 en las listas de UK y fundaron el rock instrumental. Brian May, es uno de los amigos y admiradores de este grupo. En 1996, fue invitado a participar del CD tributo "TWANG", donde interpretó el tema "F.B.I." de 1961. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6vGi3WketyjfMU

[@alecboyyes]

My ideal bedroom rig 😁

[@aldito7586]

"He's the Governor". / Jeff Beck (RIP) comment on Brian May.. He said this about him Early 1980's I believe. When a man is right - a man is right. Brian May is a little beyond. His sound. His style. / O.K. I saw EVH in his prime - I saw Randy Rhodes. I saw Neil Schon. Now I have to see Brian May. - "Al, I saw Brian May - and he blew me away". / "Well I could have told you that would happen". / I think Brian May would (MAYBE) like Al DiTo. (Of course I can't be sure). But, I do have the songs which I do believe would make things a little bit easier for a person like me to approach a person of his stature.

[@yeknommonkey]

Amazing all turned up to full. Must sound awesome.

[@kevinsims1559]

I remember that........30 of them! Looked fantastic.

[@gergemall]

Incredible

[@matthewpulley]

Those amps go to 11 for that extra push over the cliff!

[@Christ-is-King-]

Celestion blue is a 15 watt speaker

[@brianmay6212]

Thank you.

[@phenixreturns]

Considering it's not a high gain amp, it's logic to want more for more

[@DerpDart]

Is that the roadie from waynes world 2?!

[@JimWhitakerMusic]

J Dug jr. ...Jeff Beck pops his head ‘round the door.... 🤣🤣

[@TomsGreenMind]

...and I had to beat them to death with their own shoes 😂

[@billdivine9501]

Classic! Was think the same while he spoke! 😆 what a cool job that must be. I’d love to be an assistant, just for the experience and to be around all that gear!

[@wgb01001]

It rained all morning and then it cleared up in the afternoon. ... And that’s it. I almost remembered somfing else, but it’s gone. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@reverendtos4271]

What really amazes me to this day, is how he can get a true heavy metal chunk out of those things when he wants to. Just goes to show you can do most anything with some tools, pedals and a good ear

[@MuvoTX]

Yep... HUGE part of Brians tone is the serrated 6 pense. Gives a natural edge to his picked notes that a plastic plectrum cant. That combined with the treble boost.... like 30 db of clean signal gain iirc. I use old brass chuck-e-chese game tokens as picks for this reason. Theyre not serrated, but still sound edgier than plastic.

[@odralebazerimar9084]

@@MuvoTX you should consider getting a stone pick. I bought one and haven’t looked back. You get the extra edge and everything

[@MrMotherfuck123]

Well explained

[@charlieross-BRM]

I'm finding so many old videos being posted, not pointing out the original production date.

[@pericabenic4413]

All to the maximum, that`s Bryan May :o)

[@Flornmonk]

Euro voltage gang!

[@blueflagmusic]

When 8 is not enough,and ten is a bit much. Number9NumberR9Number9

[@halbertking2683]

What, 9 AC-30s on stage and not a fire extinguisher in sight .

[@jammer70s]

Right, they say them things run bloody HOT!

[@patricksommer3971]

after a concert you could nearly cook on my friends AC15. And brian has like 18 of those

[@alecboyyes]

@@jammer70s Lol, I have the chassis out of mine as I'm tube rolling and playing next to it, you can feel the heat coming from it to the point that any radiator in the room is made obsolete.

[@matthewdobsson3883]

10 people are still playing the spider.

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

All that sustain and feedback he controls with the volume I'm pretty sure he has humbucker s as Alex Lifeson he played a strat with humbucker s in the back

[@Godlikegren]

Since when is Del Preston the roadie for Queen?

[@KeeperOfPoops]

i'd say it's Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant lol

[@blacksails]

Whats that little black thing on top of the upper left Ac30 ? (Timestamp 0:55)

[@Gregorypeckory]

This was worth watching for the "American girly power" phrase alone!

[@kingkrollinvention]

I wonder, what brand valves does he use?

[@veerchasm1]

Dang, I hope he gives his tech a nice pension and Life Insurance

[@davebain1982]

I'm pretty sure Pete is well paid, don't you think? 🙄

[@diangara3298]

Anyone know who that Australian tech is who did the servicing of those amps? There's the sticker on the back. Can't make out the name.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Pretty much my 90s highschool metal band set up except it was with 4 crappy used $25 peavy rage practice amps.🥴

[@BobbyGanoosh]

These one's go to 11

[@mateoaponte7556]

What amp does he use

[@Otis-Isom]

Orange micro dark

[@marcospintor1333]

Line 6 spy-derrr

[@winthorpe6594]

hey.....they make this really cool thing.....its called an ISO Cabinet :) ask Elwood Francis about it :)

[@Barnekkid]

Wish he had said what make of valves/tubes they used.

[@mtguitar5150]

P&W dream rig

[@middle_pickup]

Not at that volume! lol

[@diegoroduruguay]

What kind of mics are in the amps?

[@akaski777]

How does one practice with ac cranked up

[@davidharvey8812]

Love his sarcasm towards all you yanks

[@JamesWang007]

What a contrast bw the man's soft spoken demeanor and his outlandish rock "voice".

[@Johnny_Doe]

Wonder how much time they spend checking for phasing?

[@myguitarcloud5987]

Real nightmare😂

[@pwarner]

Not needed because each amp is getting a different signal (Dry, Wet L, Wet R)

[@rockyou42560]

The Queen castle

[@noname-jr1vo]

Some guys are just dead determined to stick with the old stuff. It's so reliable that we have to have 6 back-up amps at all times.😆Does it blow speakers? Yes all the time!!! 😆 😆 hey to each his own. But the guy could do that with two cabinets two heads and one rack box and he would have his live gear and a backup. And it would be newer technology that almost any large music store in any big city would have in case an emergency. But again. To each his own. The guy still rocks either way.

[@noname-jr1vo]

@@powertothebauer296 yeah. I'm a sound engineer and a guitar and drum tech. I attended the Atlanta Institute of Music. I've actually studied and had access to the pre mix tracking and masters of all of Queens albums. They were kept in a vault that had everything from Patsy Cline to Slayer. I was able to retire Dec 2019 at 41 years old. My generation perfected computer recording. (It sucked at first, now it's awesome) My generation is also recognized as part of the last generation of producers and engineers that knows how to work with analog tape and did so out of necessity. From 2" reel to 4 track cassette or reel to DAT and ADAT. Tone definitely matters in the studio or small venue or concert hall. But True tone can't be determined in a stadium or colosseum. It's impossible. Especially since what the audience is hearing is coming from the House P.A. and not his amps. House P.A. is digitized and timed for latency. This ensures that the front row and the nose bleed sections aren't hearing two different things. I doubt Brian is playing at the local pubs these days. So I might know just a little bit. Just maybe.

[@powertothebauer296]

@@noname-jr1vo Yes clearly , it comes from the house , but I hears the amp who are connected to the desk and this dynamic range I her comes from the cranked up amps and not from a digital simulator , and despair how good a simulator is he will never sound as good as an real valve amp. And one thing is for sure Analog beats every digital setup, digital is it easier to process afterwards. But the most important thing is , if you played and hear your gear for more than 40 or 50 years know instantly something is wrong , when you change one part of your gear.

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

He learned a lot from Rory Gallagher is what they say see watching Rory playing a strat with all that sustain. Maybe so

[@littlestudio1287]

Great British humour with satire, I hope Yankees won't be offended!

[@music00soba]

you guys should definitely post more edited clips like this from interviews. i find it really hard to follow your longform interviews at times, some of these musicians are not so great at being interviewed and fall off track so quickly lol

[@tcb19931234]

So he's got 5 spare amps and he wants to get his hands on 3 more, whos carrying them lol

[@johng2880]

The help.

[@brianmay6212]

lOL, Thanks for the concerns.

[@alecboyyes]

I've got one and no he's not having it! 😁

[@brianmay6212]

@@alecboyyes more blessings..

[@Richard_P_James]

What make of tubes?

[@saltpeter500]

Valves

[@Richard_P_James]

@@saltpeter500 which MANUFACTURER

[@saltpeter500]

There's probably a reason he didn't disclose which valves he uses, most guitar guys don't give away all their tone secrets. www.guitarplayer.com/gear/the-best-guitar-amp-tubes-you-can-buy-right-now

[@thegreenreflectors]

LOVE THIS VIDEO! Anything VOX, all about it. AND QUEEN!

[@roverwaters3875]

Brian wrote all the guitar solos on Freddie's songs made for the band

[@GreenTeaViewer]

no s***. Brian May is one of the great guitarists

[@Youtubax]

Hello Captain Obvious.

[@afxmnstr]

Hey guys, go easy, its Roger Waters cat.

[@davebain1982]

No he didn't. The only solo Brian wrote on a Freddie penned song was bohemian rhapsody.... Also Brian didn't even write all his solos anyway, Freddie wrote them on piano and Brian transcribed it to guitar..... Do your research ffs, it's not hard

[@roverwaters3875]

@@davebain1982 😆😆

[@guitarforall]

soooo, no kemper profiler module ??

[@middle_pickup]

I'd be so interested to see the specific mods on those amps. Maybe the info is online somewhere? I have a 1993 Korg era Marshall made AC30/6TB. That's what those three he's playing started life as. I'm interested in what was done to them...

[@Meddled]

Deleted trem and reverb circuit maybe?

[@middle_pickup]

@@Meddled The amp didn't have reverb. I'm more interested if there are any component value changes.

[@joethrelfall6370]

@@middle_pickup turned into normal channel only ac30s.