Brian May Red Special guitar

Jigsaw

What are fellow boardsies views on the guitar? Was thinking of getting one but would be interested in hearing some views first of all

ta

Kenny_D

I'd love one for playing Queen stuff but I'd go for a good strat or les paul first

Ger the man

Never heard one being played here, lots of video's on youtube though. How much are they?

nij

Apparently they are very versatile tone-wise. Unlike most other guitars, Red Specials have phase switches, which could come in very handy. IMO though it's best to play one before spending 700 squids on it, but I'd say it's more of a collector's thing.

dazberry

I have one - bought it second hand in town last year... mixed feelings on it really.

The one I have is a post-Burns / pre-BMG (Brian May Guitars), so its missing the half moon at the trem and has black switches etc (you can buy both of these seperately now to "upgrade" old models). Its a Korean made guitar, and I think there are a couple of quality issues (although nothing a good tech couldn't fix), I sure all those issues are addressed in the new BMGs.

Sound wise, yeah its a bit of fun, a lot more options than any other guitar I have, but nothing that makes me go wow! What I find is that I pick it up, noodle away the same thing thru' most combination of sound settings, play a bit of Tie Your Mother Down, and then hang it back up.

But I don't like the feel of the guitar all that much, its heav(y/ier) than most my other guitars and is really big, and the neck profile doesn't do a lot for me. It was perfect when I bought it and I've added 4 or 5 dings to it because of the size - I just can't seem to get used to it...

Would I buy one new - no. Definitely try one out before you buy, for that sort of money you can get some great second hand guitars on ebay.

D.

Dord

OP, It might be better for you to try out one of these guitars in person.

I've heard good things about the BMG Red Special, it certainly looks nicer than the Burns one.

nij

It's an inch shorter in scale than a strat, and the neck is a bit wider at the nut. Build for Brian's hands and arms!

Karl Hungus

nij wrote:

but I'd say it's more of a collector's thing.

Why's that?

nij

Well, partly because of its uniqueness. It was originally built by one man for his own music style, and for his hands and personal preferences. Although you can select many tone settings, it's always going to have that 'Queen' edge to it. If you change the pickups, volume control or any other major component, it's not really the Red Special any more.

Karl Hungus

nij wrote:

Well, partly because of its uniqueness. It was originally built by one man for his own music style, and for his hands and personal preferences. Although you can select many tone settings, it's always going to have that 'Queen' edge to it. If you change the pickups, volume control or any other major component, it's not really the Red Special any more.

I don't really see how it's that much different from any other signiature model in that respect. I mean, the Jem was built for Steve Vai, and further back the Les Paul was built for Les Paul, but they've become commonplace instruments. I think if it's a good instrument, then people are going to play it, and it's not just something for collectors. Take for example the 5150, which is an EVH signiature, but people were playing them because they sounded great.

Granted, the Red special is a lot more rare than a Jem, or a 5150, but I think on the whole that signiature gear is something that's not just for collectors or fans.

Cool_CM

The JEM and Les Paul weren`t however built BY the guitarist and his dad from bits and pieces they found nd bought

Karl Hungus

Cool_CM wrote:

The JEM and Les Paul weren`t however built BY the guitarist and his dad from bits and pieces they found nd bought

So what? The Red Special you buy in shops isn't built by the guitarist and his dad either. You're buying a mass produced signiature model.

crosstownk

Does the mass produced model come with an old English sixpence coin?

nij

Karl Hungus wrote:

So what? The Red Special you buy in shops isn't built by the guitarist and his dad either. You're buying a mass produced signiature model.

I can see your point about sig models, but the Red Special is different IMO. Sure, most people customise their Fenders and Gibsons and then, if they are well known, the company will release a model with those mods built in. The Red Special isn't just a model, it's an entirely unique instrument, and the minute you hear it, you know you're listening to Queen. If you have one, you're either in a Queen tribute band, or you're Brian May himself! LOL. It's just so unique.

Just my opinion!

Karl Hungus

nij wrote:

I can see your point about sig models, but the Red Special is different IMO. Sure, most people customise their Fenders and Gibsons and then, if they are well known, the company will release a model with those mods built in. The Red Special isn't just a model, it's an entirely unique instrument, and the minute you hear it, you know you're listening to Queen. If you have one, you're either in a Queen tribute band, or you're Brian May himself! LOL. It's just so unique.

I don't know, I think maybe you're getting at the fact that not so many people outside of Queen fans are using one, and that's what sets it apart from other signiature models. I think unique would be a good thing, and if you wanted to get a different sound, then maybe a Red Special would be good idea (I don't know, I haven't played one) even if you're not a Queen fan.

Maybe it's just my view on signiature gear in general. I mean, I own a K-7, and I'm not a fan of Korn at all, I just think it's an exceptionally good guitar. Same with my Mark Tremonti wah pedal, I don't even listen to the guy's music. I think if you got a good instrument, it'll be seen as a good instrument and played, not as some collector's piece or something for fans only. Good discussion anywho, perhaps I should start a seperate thread about sig instruments?

nij wrote:

Just my opinion!

Really? Good you cleared that up, I thought you were using someone else's opinion.

nij

Well yeah it's not a widely used guitar, and if you use one, you're obviously a Queen fan, and you're after a very specific sound. I'd say a lot of people combine the Red Special with Brian's customised Vox AC30.

I also just have a thing for individuality. I'd prefer to find my own sound with my guitar/amp choices. I've a standard Strat, and I'm always looking for ways to tweak it to be just the way I want it.

Karl Hungus

nij wrote:

I also just have a thing for individuality. I'd prefer to find my own sound with my guitar/amp choices.

The way I look at it, the instrument is a tool, and I think individualilty solely comes from your playing.

dazberry

crosstownk wrote:

Does the mass produced model come with an old English sixpence coin?

Not as far as I know. From the reviews the Digitech BM pedal does.

nij wrote:

Well yeah it's not a widely used guitar, and if you use one, you're obviously a Queen fan, and you're after a very specific sound. I'd say a lot of people combine the Red Special with Brian's customised Vox AC30.

Its definitely a visually distinctive guitar in that if you know the red special - its a red special - unless its not red of course (there are a number of colours now). The guitar is sold as a BM guitar, and I think you're right in the sense that most people who own them are fans, or tribute bands, or west-end stage shows or BM himself. That's really how they're sold. The guitar could probably stand alone as an instrument in its own right - but that takes someone to pick one up, play it and like it on its own merits. Similar to Karls K-7 I guess. Its not beyond the guitar - perhaps it beyond the perception?

D.

Dord

Karl Hungus wrote:

The way I look at it, the instrument is a tool, and I think individualilty solely comes from your playing.

I think you hit the nail on the head.


Lets take Vai for example, now I hate the guy but whatever. If he played on Red Special I'm sure he'd still sound like Vai. Right?

Jigsaw

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I was looking more for any comments on the build quality, durability and quality of finish as opposed to how much like Brian May I would sound if I got it. Does anyone have any comments on the trem on the guitar? Can it withstand a fair bit of use?