A Fractal/Queen Story from Tristan Avakian

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Thinking that enough time has passed, I wanted to share this story so I asked Fractal Audio artist (and friend) Tristan Avakian to write it up:

When I was in preproduction rehearsals with Queen Extravaganza (the official Queen tribute), I ordered an Axe-Fx II II, thinking that I'd finally nail the elusive "Deacy" sound that Brian May employed in the studio. A "guitar choir" effect achieved with a tiny hand built transistor amp, a treble booster, multiple overdubs, and of course, Brian's hands and fantastic talent for layering harmonies.

Even Queen had never bothered replicating it live, but I was determined to deliver it in all its glory to big crowds across North America.

I worked with the Axe-Fx II II for a couple of days, whenever I had a spare moment. When I was ready, I demonstrated the sound for Roger at rehearsal.

He shouted, "Splendid, Tristan! Justine (Roger's assistant), order another straight away!"

The next morning at rehearsal, Justine pulled me aside... never a good thing. I thought, uh-oh. And surely enough, she told me, "Roger's had a change of heart".

My heart sank as she explained... "it sounds too realistic.... makes it seem as if we are miming to a recording"... !!!

Which of course Queen never did, and never will, but had often been accused of by critics "back in the day". So it was a bit of a sore point.

Imagine my chagrin when I had to call Fractal and tell them I had to send it back... because it was TOO GOOD!!!

Four years later, I finally have a Fractal of my own, the AX8, and it is delivering killer, completely accurate signature Brian tone to Queen fans across the continent in
Ultimate Queen Celebration featuring Marc Martel, and Schon's searing sound in Absolute Journey, Canada's premiere Journey tribute. Both acts play mid size theatres, casinos and large outdoor amphitheaters, and every FOH guy I work with is ecstatic about the guitar sound.

There has been an Axe-Fx II in almost every musical theater production I've been involved in playing for the last 5 years (guitar one in Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard and others), so the AX8 makes total sense to me in a concert setting. Feels like an old friend.

Thank you Fractal for making a beautiful product!

Thanks for sharing the story, Tristan! I hope you don't mind that I dug up this photo of you and Brian to share here with it.

Brian&Tristan_690_photo.jpg
 
Nice story!

But I am confused. It was too good? And this was a problem for Justine? Don't need an answer, but I do wonder here why 'nailing it' was an issue.

And we really would like that preset for those who might like to nail 'deacy'....
 
I saw Tristan a few times in the last few years. Filled in for Joel Hoekstra in Night Ranger and Rock of Ages. Killer player. One of the very few guys I've seen nail Jeff Watson's solos.
 
Fantastic! A preset on the way, to give me an unfair advantage when I start my own international Queen Tribute! Just kidding. Brian was so relaxed, and I'm 10,000 watts. But it would be nice to just try it at home.
 
Ah great! Someone has finally emulated Brian May's Deacy amp and.... wait for it. No preset or even a hint* as to how to get that sound.
Amp or Tone Match? >PEQ?
 
I’m no longer in possession of the patch - it’s in the AxeFxII I sent back. Probably long gone. But I no longer try to emulate the Deacy tone live. When I recounted the above story to Brian he said, more or less, that he never tried to cop it live, adding: “I just play the top note and the audience hears it in their heads anyway!” I figure if he’s not fussed about it I ain’t gonna be either. I tickle things with a harmonizer now & then but that’s about it.

Play with eq and the smallest available speaker cab model and you’ll be in the ballpark.

As far as what I do now with Ultimate Queen Celebration, it’s a lot like what Brett Kingman did for his BMG guitars demo. I can’t add a link here but just do a search on YouTube for “Brian May Guitars demo sound - Axe Fx preset”. I stumbled on this video after I’d already dialed up my basic tone for UQC and it seems we drew most of the same conclusions.
 
Thanks for your reply Tristan Avakian. Makes sense, use a small speaker IR and EQ should get in the territory of the Deacy.
I'm gonna check out some Ultimate Queen Celebration on YouTube also the “Brian May Guitars demo sound - Axe Fx preset”
 
Thinking that enough time has passed, I wanted to share this story so I asked Fractal Audio artist (and friend) Tristan Avakian to write it up:

When I was in preproduction rehearsals with Queen Extravaganza (the official Queen tribute), I ordered an Axe-Fx II II, thinking that I'd finally nail the elusive "Deacy" sound that Brian May employed in the studio. A "guitar choir" effect achieved with a tiny hand built transistor amp, a treble booster, multiple overdubs, and of course, Brian's hands and fantastic talent for layering harmonies.
Even Queen had never bothered replicating it live, but I was determined to deliver it in all its glory to big crowds across North America.
I worked with the Axe-Fx II II for a couple of days, whenever I had a spare moment. When I was ready, I demonstrated the sound for Roger at rehearsal.
He shouted, "Splendid, Tristan! Justine (Roger's assistant), order another straight away!"
The next morning at rehearsal, Justine pulled me aside... never a good thing. I thought, uh-oh. And surely enough, she told me, "Roger's had a change of heart".
My heart sank as she explained... "it sounds too realistic.... makes it seem as if we are miming to a recording"... !!!
Which of course Queen never did, and never will, but had often been accused of by critics "back in the day". So it was a bit of a sore point.
Imagine my chagrin when I had to call Fractal and tell them I had to send it back... because it was TOO GOOD!!!
Four years later, I finally have a Fractal of my own, the AX8, and it is delivering killer, completely accurate signature Brian tone to Queen fans across the continent in Ultimate Queen Celebration featuring Marc Martel, and Schon's searing sound in Absolute Journey, Canada's premiere Journey tribute. Both acts play mid size theatres, casinos and large outdoor amphitheaters, and every FOH guy I work with is ecstatic about the guitar sound.
There has been an Axe-Fx II in almost every musical theater production I've been involved in playing for the last 5 years (guitar one in Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard and others), so the AX8 makes total sense to me in a concert setting. Feels like an old friend.
Thank you Fractal for making a beautiful product!

Thanks for sharing the story, Tristan! I hope you don't mind that I dug up this photo of you and Brian to share here with it.

View attachment 40125
I know this is an old thread but I just came across it what an Awesome story.
Wouldn’t it be cool if someone had that patch.
So glad I came across this thread. :D
Happy Fourth July :cool:
 
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