If you’ve ever been captivated by the iconic guitar sounds of Queen, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the legendary “Red Special.” Crafted by Brian May himself with his father, this instrument isn’t just a guitar; it’s a piece of rock history. For fans and guitarists worldwide seeking to capture that unique sonic magic, the journey to owning a piece of this legacy has become a reality through Brian May Guitars (BMG).
The story of the Red Special is one of innovation and resourcefulness. Built from readily available materials, including wood from an old fireplace mantel, the original guitar embodies Brian May’s ingenuity and quest for a distinctive sound. Over the years, numerous attempts were made to replicate this iconic instrument, with varying degrees of success. However, Brian May felt a personal responsibility to ensure any official versions truly honored the spirit and specifications of his beloved “Old Lady.”
This dedication led to the formation of Brian May Guitars in 2004. Partnering with Barry Moorhouse of House Music and his long-time guitar technician Pete Malandrone, Brian May set out to create a range of instruments that would deliver exceptional quality and the sought-after “Red Special” feel at prices accessible to a wider range of musicians. The goal was simple yet ambitious: to make the best possible guitars, designed by Brian May, and available to all who appreciate the unique sound and playability.
The BMG Special: A Modern Classic Inspired by the Red Special
The cornerstone of the BMG lineup is the BMG Special. This model is directly inspired by the Red Special and meticulously designed to capture its essence. Available in the classic Antique Cherry finish, the BMG Special immediately stands out with its striking aesthetics. Beyond its looks, this guitar boasts exceptional build quality, remarkable playability, and a vast palette of tones that are instantly recognizable as Brian May’s signature sound.
The BMG Special truly delivers on its promise, offering everything discerning guitarists expect from an instrument bearing the name of a legendary musician. Despite its superior features and performance, the BMG Special remains surprisingly affordable, making the dream of owning a “Red Special” inspired guitar attainable for many.
Image of the BMG Special guitar in Antique Cherry finish, showcasing its double-cutaway body and distinctive appearance.
The BMG LE Series: Red Special Design with a Fresh Palette
For those seeking the Red Special formula with a twist, the BMG LE Series presents a stunning array of alternative colors and hardware combinations. This series proves that the iconic design transcends a single color. While the Red Special is famously red, the LE Series demonstrates that the core DNA of the guitar remains “SPECIAL” in any hue. Explore a range of vibrant and unique finishes that offer a fresh take on the legendary silhouette.
Image of the BMG Special LE Series guitar in Windermere Blue, highlighting the alternative color options available while maintaining the Red Special design.
The BMG Art Series: Celebrating Queen’s Iconic Albums
The BMG Art Series takes the concept of signature guitars to another level. These instruments are not just inspired by Brian May’s guitar but also celebrate his stellar career with Queen. Featuring premium quality construction, each guitar in the Art Series is adorned with original artwork and officially licensed recreations of classic Queen album covers. These are truly collector’s items for dedicated fans, merging musical instrument craftsmanship with iconic visual artistry.
Image of the BMG Art Series guitar featuring the “News of the World” album artwork, demonstrating the unique integration of Queen album covers into the guitar design.
The BMG Vision: Stripped-Down Rock and Roll Power
The BMG Vision offers a different perspective on the Red Special lineage. This model strips away some of the ornate features and focuses on pure rock and roll functionality. Blending the BMG Special’s distinctive short-scale styling with the raw power of a pre-1960 Les Paul Doublecut, the Vision is built for unadulterated rock performance. It also pays homage to the Guild BM032 Standard, a twin-pickup design from the mid-90s.
Featuring a chambered mahogany body, solid mahogany neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard, and vintage wraparound bridge, the BMG Vision delivers a no-frills rock machine. Twin chrome-capped vintage-voiced humbuckers, aluminum Top-Hat knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch complete the package, resulting in a guitar that is ready to rock straight out of the case.
Image showcasing two BMG Vision guitars, emphasizing the double-cutaway design and stripped-down aesthetic for rock music.
The BMG Super: An Officially Licensed Red Special Reimagining
For the purist seeking the closest modern recreation of the original Red Special, the BMG Super is the answer. This model is an officially licensed and meticulously crafted reimagining of Brian May’s legendary guitar. The BMG Super is the result of a collaborative effort involving Brian May, Pete Malandrone, Barry Moorhouse, and other experts in guitar design and manufacturing.
Every detail of the BMG Super, from the acoustic chambered mahogany body and wide neck profile to the custom-made hardware and exclusive BMG Super pickups, has been painstakingly recreated to mirror the original Red Special as authentically as possible. While striving for accuracy, the BMG Super also aims to be attainable, offering exceptional Red Special specifications without an exorbitant price tag.
Image of the BMG Super guitar, highlighting its meticulous recreation of the Red Special’s features and design, emphasizing its authenticity.
The BMG Arielle: A Parallel Dimension Red Special
The BMG Arielle represents a unique collaboration and a departure for Brian May Guitars. This model is the result of a partnership between Brian May and American singer-songwriter and guitarist Arielle Schwartz. Significantly, the BMG Arielle is the first original guitar design that Brian May has contributed to since he and his father built the Red Special six decades ago. Described as “The Red Special in a Parallel dimension,” the Arielle blends familiar Red Special elements with Arielle’s personal preferences and design input, resulting in a distinctive and inspiring instrument.
Image showing three BMG Arielle guitars in different color options (Two-Tone, Antique Cherry, Windermere Blue), emphasizing the collaborative design and unique aesthetic.
The BMG Mini May: Red Special Fun in a Compact Size
For guitarists seeking portability and a unique playing experience, the BMG Mini May offers a fun-sized rendition of the Red Special. With a 22.9″ scale length, ultra-compact meranti body, and a single Tri-Sonic style pickup, the Mini May is perfect for travel or for players who prefer a smaller instrument. Available in Metallic Cherry and Natural finishes, the Mini May retains the distinctive Red Special vibe in a conveniently smaller package.
Image of the BMG Mini May guitar in Metallic Cherry, showcasing its smaller body size and portability, perfect as a travel guitar.
The BMG Bass: Red Special Aesthetics in Bass Form
Extending the Red Special design language to a different instrument category, the BMG Bass is a striking and unique creation. Featuring the instantly recognizable outline and aesthetics of the “Old Lady,” the BMG Bass is a medium-scale, twin-pickup instrument that delivers a powerful and rich bass response. Its versatile and aggressive tone makes it suitable for a wide range of musical styles, while its visual connection to the Red Special makes it instantly recognizable.
Image of the BMG Bass guitar in Antique Cherry, demonstrating the Red Special inspired body shape adapted for a bass guitar.
The BMG Rhapsody: Electro-Acoustic Performance for the Stage
For acoustic performances with stage-ready electronics, the BMG Rhapsody electro-acoustic guitar is the ideal choice. This model is the exact instrument played by Brian May on the 2023 North American Rhapsody Tour, highlighting its professional quality and stageworthiness. Designed in collaboration with Brian May, the Rhapsody features the Red Special’s distinctive double-cutaway design and incorporates high-quality Fishman Flex onboard electronics for exceptional amplified acoustic tone.
Image of the BMG Rhapsody electro-acoustic guitar, emphasizing its double-cutaway design and stage-ready features as used on the Rhapsody Tour.
The BMG Tenor Uke: Red Special Spirit in Ukulele Form
Rounding out the BMG family is the BMG Tenor Ukulele, another original design from Brian May Guitars. This ukulele embodies the same attention to detail and quality as the guitar models. Featuring an under-saddle pickup and a Fishman Kula onboard preamp, the tenor-sized ukulele is equally at home on stage or in intimate acoustic settings. It’s a perfect companion to any BMG guitar or a fantastic instrument in its own right, offering a unique way to explore the Red Special spirit in a different musical context.
Image of the BMG Tenor Ukulele in Antique Cherry, showcasing its tenor size and highlighting its Fishman preamp for amplified performance.
Brian May Guitars offer a diverse range of instruments that all share a common thread: the legacy of the Brian May Red Special Guitar. From faithful recreations to inspired variations and even venturing into bass and ukulele territory, BMG provides musicians with the opportunity to connect with a piece of rock history and experience the unique design and sound that originated with Brian May’s legendary “Old Lady.” Explore the BMG range and discover your own piece of the Red Special magic.
Brian May’s signature, reinforcing the personal connection and endorsement of the Brian May Guitars brand.
