Brian May Red Special Meetup U.K. 2023 Highlights

This video is a highlights package of the 2023 U.K. Brian May Red Special Meet-up. Attended by 60-70 enthusiasts, the event has been held at Theale Village Hall near Reading in Berkshire since 2017. The theme of this year's meet-up was "Good Company" which reflects the friendliness, trust and respect in the global Brian May enthusiast community.
To celebrate twenty years of working with Brian May, Andrew Guyton brought three guitars never seen or rarely seen in public: the spade, the 12/6 doubleneck and scalloped fretboard guitars. He also exhibited the "Badger" semi-acoustic and three customer guitars based on the original Red Special including Pete Malandrone's semi-acoustic archtop and Nigel Knight's heavily customised Ruby Special.
www.guytonguitars.com/the-spad...
www.guytonguitars.com/the-126-...
www.guytonguitars.com/the-arch...
www.guytonguitars.com/the-ruby...
www.guytonguitars.com/the-scal...
Check out the video I made in January 2023 entitled "Brian May's Other Guitars" to find out more about some of these instruments:
• Brian May's Other Guitars
00:00 - Flash frames intro.
00:21 - Introduction.
01:16 - Andrew Guyton's guitars for Brian May, Pete Malandrone and Nigel Knight.
01:52 - The Guyton 'spade' guitar visual rundown.
02:25 - The Guyton 12/6 double neck visual rundown.
03:14 - Guyton 12/6 double neck quick demonstration by Luke Timmins.
03:36 - The Guyton 'Badger' Mk 2 semi-acoustic visual rundown.
04:52 - Guyton 'Badger' Mk 2 arch top semi-acoustic quick demonstration by Luke Timmins.
05:22 - Guyton 'Pete Special' archtop semi-acoustic visual rundown.
06:28 - Guyton 'Pete Special' archtop semi-acoustic quick demonstration by Luke Timmins.
07:28 - Guyton scalloped fretboard guitar visual rundown.
07:55 - Guyton scalloped fretboard guitar quick demonstration by Luke Timmins.
08:44 - Guyton 'Ruby Special' (Nigel Knight's guitar) visual rundown.
09:53 - Guyton 'Ruby Special' (Nigel Knight's guitar) quick demonstration by Luke Timmins.
10:20 - A look at some of the other guitars and equipment.
12:21 - Goodbye from meet-up man, Jon Underhill of The Red Special Guitar Podcast.
12:24 - Outro.
Please check out the other Brian May related videos on my KZbin channel and my website, dsgb.net for information on Brian May's guitars and musical equipment and my related design and build projects.
#BrianMay #RedSpecial #Queen

[@rekdinhopoetico]

I began to play the guitar when I was 11 and that was due to Brian May...I left the piano and my mother gave me a guitar. Anyway, I never had a Red Special. Congratulations for your video, fantastic guitars. Long live to Brian.

[@RICCARDOREARDON]

PHENOMENAL....ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL VIDEO...THANK YOU FOR UPLOADING THIS VIDEO...

[@dsgb]

I'm pleased that you appreciate it. 😀👍🏻

[@danrez42]

Being a wife, one theater, queen Brian, may I would love to have you sit in and watch and enjoy what you guys do. Thank you for so much.

[@dsgb]

Hope you can make it one day. 👍🏻😀

[@danrez42]

@@dsgb I’d be incredibly honored

[@danrez42]

Not a wife auto correct wasn’t working but if you have a quiz at 73 saw the first concert multiple first sentence should’ve read being a fan of queen and Brian May sorry for the confusion

[@nicolasfrom]

First video to pop! Thanks. That was a great day. Those Guyton guitars!!🤩

[@dsgb]

It was indeed another great day. It's a shame that my iPhone recording didn't do the sound justice. I'm sure @TheRedSpecialGuitarPodcast videos will have better audio fidelity. 😀👍🏻

[@RedSpecialTribute]

What an amazing Video Doug! Thank you for making this😎 Also it was a pleasure meeting you again, till the next.

[@dsgb]

Likewise Andrek. Thanks for the kind words. 💜 Although I don't think I got much chance to talk to you. Apologies for that. There will be other times to hang out and chat, maybe in the USA. 👍🏻😀

[@paulsimmons5726]

What an amazing collection of instruments; I’d bet Dr Bri never imagined this type of meeting when he and his dad were designing and building his Red Special back in the day! Marvelous video, thanks for sharing!

[@dsgb]

Thanks Paul. 😀👍🏻 Brian is fortunate to have found a 'personal luthier' in Andy Guyton who was willing to work with him to realise his concepts and sketches into fabulous variants of his iconic Red Special guitar. In a sense, I feel sorry for all the famous guitarists who choose commercial instruments such as Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls which are so familiar to us.

[@tribesmanjohn]

It was great to see lots of people at the meet up. Amazing video

[@dsgb]

Thanks for coming Ben. 🙏🏻👍🏻😀💜

[@robsg07]

Ruby Special is simply wonderful.

[@larrysvintage]

awesomeness

[@dsgb]

It was an unforgettable day! 😀

[@gplaza]

Fantastic day! Looking forward to the 2024 edition!

[@dsgb]

Long may it continue. Now so many guys and gals are travelling across from the USA, my whinges about how long it takes me to get there and how much it costs have little validity. 😬

[@chickenlickin3820]

Thanks bud x

[@Gianlucacor90]

Greatttt!!!!!

[@dsgb]

I'm glad that enjoyed the video. 💜😀🙏🏻

[@petermichalowski]

An amazing production and video. As usual of course.

[@dsgb]

Thank you so much Peter. I'm pleased that you appreciate it! 🙏🏻😀💜

[@petercole2283]

Great video Doug, thanks

[@dsgb]

Appreciate your praise, thanks Peter, see you in 2024. 👍🏻😀

[@Lukeyourself]

Nice work, Dougo! Great to see all the things I missed out on. It feels like I was there... even if I missed the smell.

[@dsgb]

Come to think of it, there is a unique aroma in TVH. I attributed it to Jon's aftershave.

[@brianmaysguitar2]

Looks so much fun. If I were there, I would have looked like an idiot from grinning ear to ear the whole time😃. Don’t even get me started on those Guyton guitars🤩. Truly majestic, and well crafted instruments.

[@dsgb]

Yeah, seeing and hearing those unique Guyton guitars were definitely an unmissable experience. I couldn't wait for Andy to unload them before I dived in and starting filming. How rude of me! 😞

[@mercurymasters]

0:08 That colour is sublime.

[@itsdgo3066]

Amazing video great work 👍🏻

[@dsgb]

Thanks! Stay tuned for more...

[@matthewapsey4869]

The Ruby Special is a delight ; the series/parallel switching is something that should be on _every_ guitar, especially RS-style

[@dsgb]

It is fancy but tastefully executed. The gold hardware works well with the Bubinga colour.

[@matthewapsey4869]

Only thing missing is a piezo with blend knob@@dsgb

[@tomwoodhams9945]

Really must try to make it next year Doug!

[@dsgb]

It's been too long Tom. It would be great to catch up with you again. 😀👍🏻

[@OC44K]

❤️❤️

[@dsgb]

💜

[@archangelsean]

Ive heard the "all but confirmed" rumor of the Gibson custom shop red special. Personally id like to see prs custom shop have a crack at it first. Would be something soecial to behold

[@dsgb]

That's news to me. The Red Special is a challenging guitar to replicate to an affordable budget £2,000-3,000 (US$2,500-3,500). If the rumours are true and Brian May Guitars are handing over responsibility for producing authentic replicas to Gibson, I am sceptical that they will be able to bring a Red Special Super to market within design, construction and aesthetic compromises/constraints that will be acceptable to discerning Brian May enthusiasts who are willing to pay that kind of money. Especially so given that a market leader such as Gibson are likely to want a significant percentage cut of sales. The most appropriate way to do it is with a two piece routed mahogany body with a 4-5 mm thick 'lid' and a set neck. This tends to result in a noticeably heavier instrument than one constructed from engineered timber construction board with oak inserts. A good option in my view would be to retail a replica guitar with correct basic elements (body and pickguard shapes, neck dimensions and body/neck timber colour) but with simplified and cheaper hardware that can be easily customised/upgraded using aftermarket or DIY components to suit more discerning enthusiasts.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I could definitely imagine)p(if I had the mulah to burn) purchasing the Guyton 6/12. I imagine others would also want something like it. I could also imagine trying to get a Guyton Transport.

[@dsgb]

The Guyton 6/12 double neck is a heavy instrument, limiting its general utility. A 6/12 double neck Red Special variant would be a more accessible prospect as a DIY build. Everett Wood of RS Custom Guitars in the USA made one: reverb.com/uk/item/9991185-rs-custom-guitars-64-supreme-limited-6-12-double-neck-red-special-2012-classic-red

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Thank you, Doug.

[@mel_163]

OmG the Spade guitar I was very excited to see the highlights of this Red Special meetup Do you have recordings of the Spade?

[@dsgb]

Dan Thomas @DanThomasUK recorded all the talks and demonstrations and I expect that Jon Underhill @TheRedSpecialGuitarPodcast will release it all in due course. I didn't record the Spade demonstration because I was not in an optimal position but I quickly relocated! The Spade sounded like the Red Special and the tone was full and rich. I hope their recordings do it justice.

[@mel_163]

@@dsgb Great! I'll stay tuned for it Great video Doug

[@richardhansen157]

Great video Doug. Does anyone have footage/sound of The Spade please? I'd love to hear it.

[@dsgb]

Thanks Richard. 👍🏻😀 Dan Thomas @DanThomasUK recorded all the talks and demonstrations and I expect that Jon Underhill @TheRedSpecialGuitarPodcast will release it all in due course. I didn't record the Spade demonstration because I was not in an optimal position but I quickly relocated! The Spade sounded like the Red Special and the tone was full and rich. I hope their recordings do it justice.

[@ThomasBrunkard]

*cough* Narrator! exactly 100% more attendees from unmentioned Ireland than mentioned Switzerland 😂

[@dsgb]

Ha, apologies! Caught out... I don't consider the Republic of Ireland as a 'foreign' country or even 'international'. That's my excuse. I was the only representative from Bonnie Scotland (again?) and I didn't credit me either. 😂

[@gplaza]

Or Spain. Or Chile 😉🤷

[@dsgb]

I thought I mentioned Spain? I remembered that the Raymon Guitars guy was there but unfortunately I didn't get to chat to him. Oh dear, errors and omissions abound in my recent videos. More rigour is required. 😞

[@gplaza]

Nah, it’s all good!

[@ThomasBrunkard]

@@dsgb it’s funny. I actually was explaining to someone over the weekend that the Isle of Man isn’t part of the UK and that Scotland is a country. In the case if the former, it’s entirely to do with a personal union with the crown. It’s much more clear cut with Republic of Ireland. There are commonalities of course but the amount of salt in Chinese food is a magnitude less here than in England at least.

[@rodrigobelinchon2982]

Can't believe I am 41 and I haven't tried the full Brian's rig

[@dsgb]

You know what you need to do then. Add it to your bucket list man! 👍🏻😀

[@ThomasBrunkard]

It's very very loud

[@rodrigobelinchon2982]

@@ThomasBrunkard I would'nt expect less \m/

[@BD12]

Love the doubleneck, but why there hasn't just been a 12-string put out, I'll never understand.

[@dsgb]

I doubt there is a business case for Brian May Guitars to produce a 12 string Red Special. Look at the compromises required on the BMG Special to get a commercially viable instrument. These are too many for some enthusiasts.

[@BD12]

​@@dsgb I mean, yay and nay. Technically speaking, there isn't a whole lot more assload of compromise on a 12-string because it's not like you're cheaping out on the original, installing a more bog standard tremolo, etc. I can certainly see there not being a huge market for them, but having lived with my RS for oof ... since 2006 now, I know a good potential 12-string when I hear it. Maybe I'll get one made one day when I have more money than sense, haha.

[@dsgb]

Personally I am totally into 12 string acoustic and electric guitars so I get the desire. My go to guitar is an Ovation Legend 6756LX. I am toying with making my own in the future. I would like a 12 string acoustic with a small body and an angled neck to match the string angle and equalise the action along the majority of the fretboard like a Les Paul. If I had a lot of money to blow on a guitar, I would buy a PRS hollow body 12 string and a Taylor 652CE Builder's Edition. Not much change out of $10K! 😮 Maybe I should try to build my own version of a PRS hollow body 12 string? 🤔

[@nicolaslucci9349]

Hello Doug, how are you? Can we get in contact in private? Thank you very much 😊

[@dsgb]

DM on Instagram or Facebook. Please note that I don't share or sell Red Special plans or make anything for sale. Thanks. 👍🏻😀

[@nicolaslucci9349]

@@dsgb Sure, don't worry, i already have them, i wanted to ask you about the frets🤣😃👍

[@dsgb]

No worries. I am not an expert on the RS frets or fretwork in general but feel free to contact me.

[@TristanJCumpole]

What are the current communities around the net these days?

[@dsgb]

If you are referring to online Brian May enthusiast communities, the largest one is the Facebook Red Special Group. There are other specialist enthusiast groups on Facebook including ones dedicated to building Brian May Red Special guitars. I recommend that you search Facebook.

[@TristanJCumpole]

That's a shame. Facebook is terrible and I avoid it like the plague.

[@dsgb]

I can relate. I am also not a particular fan of Facebook and I find social media a distraction so I try to limit my online presence to what is sensible and manageable. I have struggled over the years to establish a compromise. You will need to decide whether the benefit of joining in terms of feeling of belonging to a knowledgeable and friendly international community is outweighed by the distraction and potential aggravation.

[@TristanJCumpole]

@@dsgb Well, that's it exactly. I've been interested in your CNC approach to building a RS here on KZbin (I'm an industrial woodworker and desktop designer, I work with big 5-axis machining stations) and I might get around to making the two that I've wanted to complete for a while now. The first being my Firebird RS, another being a Flash Gordon and a straight up RS. Dependent on situation I might try and make next year's meet.

[@dsgb]

No need to join an online community for this. You have the tools and skills required. My website and KZbin content should help. Feel free to message me for any support and guidance you need when you get started. 👍🏻

[@Raul1971xxx]

All those guitars are very, very expensive..

[@vinylhead9938]

Red Special replicas are really special in a sense that unlike ANY other signature models, noone EVER plays anything but Queen's repertoire on them. I've a sneaky suspicion that it's deemed illegal and anyone attempting it will be cursed by Brian May personally.

[@dsgb]

What can I say in response to this irreverent witticism...? Brian occasionally plays non-Queen material, such as All Right Now by Free and I recently saw a video with Brian accompanying Howard Jones on the 80s classic What Is Love at The Princes Trust Rock Gala in June 1988 so I think rumours of such a curse are far fetched. Evidence for the prosecution is Brian's less than successful jamming session with the late, great Les Paul at Fat Tuesdays on 25 March 1991.

[@vinylhead9938]

@@dsgb I'm not trying to be witty, I'm making an observation. I'm yet to come across a video where a person holding a Red Special replica plays anything but Queen's main catalogue. Which seems amusing to me, because no other signature guitar model sparks such player behaviour. May the irony be with you. Peace.

[@dsgb]

My observation is that you have an original idea there so why not borrow a Brian May Red Special and knock out some blues on it or Satriani and upload it to your KZbin channel? 🤔 While you're pondering that, check out this video where a friend of mine doesn't play Queen through his Red Special: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3-rnZmDeJ6IqK8 Or this offering from James Rundle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6TbfpyHjNVjeLs Pax vobiscum frater.

[@vinylhead9938]

@@dsgb you're fun. Subscribed.

[@dsgb]

Thanks. 😀👍🏻