If you’ve ever been captivated by the unmistakable guitar sound of Queen, you’ve been touched by the magic of the Red Special Guitar. Conceived and hand-built by Brian May and his father Harold, this legendary instrument is more than just a guitar; it’s a piece of rock history. For those dreaming of owning a guitar inspired by this icon, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination.
The journey to make the Red Special guitar accessible has been a long and fascinating one. Over the years, numerous replicas of the “Old Lady,” as Brian affectionately calls his guitar, have emerged from both amateur enthusiasts and professional luthiers. Notable amongst these were official collaborations with Guild Guitars in the USA and Burns UK. However, 2004 marked a pivotal moment: the commercial Red Special finally came home, landing under the direct guidance of its creator.
Driven by a desire to personally oversee the design and manufacture of instruments that truly embodied the spirit of his original creation, Brian May partnered with Barry Moorhouse of House Music and his trusted guitar technician of many years, Pete Malandrone. Together, they launched Brian May Guitars (BMG), with a clear mission: to craft exceptional instruments at accessible prices, allowing musicians worldwide to experience the unique sound and feel of a guitar designed by Brian May himself – a guitar deeply rooted in the legacy of the Red Special.
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“Cheers — and Rock!!” – Brian May
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Explore the BMG Range: Red Special Inspiration for Every Musician
Brian May Guitars offers a diverse range of instruments, each drawing inspiration from the iconic Red Special guitar and embodying Brian’s commitment to quality, playability, and exceptional tone. Let’s delve into the collection:
The BMG Special: The Essence of the Red Special
The original BMG Special, presented in classic Antique Cherry, stands as a testament to the Red Special legacy. This guitar isn’t just visually striking; it’s built for performance. It boasts exceptional build quality, effortless playability, and a remarkable range of powerful tones, echoing the versatility of the Red Special. Engineered to Brian May’s exacting standards, the BMG Special delivers professional features and performance at an incredibly accessible price point, making the distinctive Red Special experience available to a wider range of players.
Image of the BMG Special guitar in Antique Cherry finish, showcasing its classic Red Special-inspired double-cutaway body shape.
The BMG LE Series: A Spectrum of Special
The BMG LE Series takes the legendary Red Special design and reimagines it with a stunning array of alternative colors and hardware combinations. This series proves that the essence of the Red Special isn’t limited to just one color. These limited edition models offer a fresh aesthetic while retaining the core DNA of the Red Special guitar, providing players with unique visual expressions of this iconic instrument.
Image showcasing the BMG Special LE Series guitar in Windermere Blue, highlighting the alternative color options inspired by the Red Special design.
The BMG Art Series: Celebrating Queen’s Legacy
The BMG Art Series instruments are more than just guitars; they are tributes to Sir Brian May’s illustrious career. Featuring premium quality construction, these guitars showcase original artwork and exclusive, official recreations of classic Queen album covers. For fans who want to connect with both the music and the instrument, the Art Series beautifully marries the Red Special design with iconic imagery from Queen’s history, creating playable pieces of art.
Image of the BMG Special Art Series guitar featuring the News of the World album artwork, demonstrating the fusion of Red Special design and Queen’s iconic album art.
The BMG Vision: Stripped Down Rock ‘n’ Roll
The BMG Vision offers a different take on the Red Special inspiration. Stripped down and built for raw rock, the Vision combines the BMG Special’s distinctive short scale with the straightforward power of a pre-1960 Les Paul Doublecut. It also nods to Guild’s mid-1990s BM032 Standard design. With a focus on simplicity and utility, the Vision delivers a no-frills rock ‘n’ roll experience while still retaining a hint of the Red Special‘s unique character in its styling and playability.
Image of two BMG Vision guitars, emphasizing their double-cutaway design and rock-focused aesthetic, inspired in part by the Red Special’s spirit.
The BMG Super: A Modern Red Special Reimagining
The BMG Super represents an officially licensed, modern reimagining of the Red Special guitar. This instrument is the result of a collaborative effort between Brian May, Pete Malandrone, Barry Moorhouse, and other renowned experts. Every detail of the Super, from the chambered mahogany body and broad neck profile to the custom hardware and exclusive BMG Super pickups, is meticulously crafted to recreate the original Red Special as authentically as possible, but at a more accessible price point. The BMG Super is the closest commercially available experience to playing the original Red Special.
Image of the BMG Super guitar, highlighting its features that closely replicate the original Red Special, emphasizing its authentic design.
The BMG Arielle: A Parallel Dimension Red Special
“The Red Special in a Parallel dimension” is how Brian May describes the BMG Arielle. This unique model is a collaboration with American singer-songwriter Arielle Schwartz and marks Brian’s first original guitar design contribution since the Red Special itself. The BMG Arielle explores new sonic and aesthetic territories while still honoring the innovative spirit and playability that define the Red Special legacy.
Image featuring three BMG Arielle guitars in different color finishes (Two-Tone, Antique Cherry, and Windermere Blue), showcasing its unique design as a parallel dimension Red Special.
The BMG Mini May: Red Special, Compact Size
The BMG Mini May offers the Red Special experience in a fun-sized, 22.9″ scale format. Available in Metallic Cherry and Natural finishes, this ultra-compact guitar is perfect for travel. Despite its smaller size, the Mini May retains the distinctive styling and single Tri-Sonic style pickup reminiscent of the Red Special, making it a fantastic and portable option for players of all ages.
Image of the BMG Mini May guitar, emphasizing its compact size and portability while maintaining Red Special design cues.
The BMG Bass: Red Special Aesthetics in Bass Form
The BMG Bass takes the instantly recognizable outline and aesthetics of the “Old Lady” and translates them into a striking bass guitar. This retro-styled, medium-scale instrument features twin pickups and delivers a powerful, rich bass response with versatile and aggressive tones. For bass players who appreciate the Red Special‘s visual appeal and sonic versatility, the BMG Bass is a unique and compelling choice.
Image of the BMG Bass guitar in Antique Cherry finish, showcasing its Red Special-inspired body shape adapted for a bass instrument.
The BMG Rhapsody: Red Special Electro-Acoustic Versatility
The BMG Rhapsody is the very electro-acoustic guitar played by Sir Brian May on the 2023 North American Rhapsody Tour. Designed in collaboration with Brian himself, this small-bodied, next-generation instrument features the Red Special‘s distinctive double-cutaway design and professional-grade Fishman Flex onboard electronics. The Rhapsody brings the Red Special‘s design ethos to the acoustic realm, offering exceptional amplified acoustic performance.
Image of the BMG Rhapsody electro-acoustic guitar, highlighting its Red Special double-cutaway shape and acoustic capabilities.
The BMG Tenor Uke: Red Special Companion
The BMG Tenor Uke is another original design from Brian May Guitars, serving as a perfect companion to the BMG Special or Super, and a fantastic instrument in its own right. Featuring an under-saddle pickup and Fishman Kula preamp, this tenor-sized ukulele is equally at home on stage or in intimate acoustic settings. The BMG Ukulele extends the Red Special family into a different instrument category, sharing the same commitment to quality and performance.
Image of the BMG Tenor Ukulele in Antique Cherry finish, showcasing its design within the BMG family and its Red Special-inspired aesthetic.
Experience the Red Special Legacy
Brian May Guitars offers a remarkable opportunity to own an instrument inspired by the legendary Red Special guitar. Whether you seek the authentic Red Special experience of the BMG Super, the versatile BMG Special, or explore other models in the range, you’ll find a guitar that embodies Brian May’s passion for music, innovation, and quality. Explore the BMG range and discover your own piece of the Red Special legacy.
