Queen's Brian May on Red Special

The guitar legend for Queen details the guitar he built with his father as a teen in the early 1960s.
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#queen #brianmay #rigrundown

[@premierguitar]

Watch the Episode: bit.ly/BrianMayRigRundown Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin

[@kickinvideo333]

I've always wondered how Brian got the screaming intro to the "Dragon Attack" solo! Then he proceeds to make it bark like a dog!! Wonderful and still remarkable!

[@aniquinstark4347]

Rock god, luthier, doctor of astrophysics. The man is incredibly inspiring.

[@deborahcornell171]

@Aniquin Stark Add to all that, animal welfare champion & wildlife protector. I love him for so many reasons!💙

[@xsitied2708]

rightt

[@stevewalters700]

And a doctor in astro physics, million seller song writer and a CBE

[@imweakfordeaky]

Also renowned expert (and historian) on the subject of stereoscopic 3D photography and imaging. Owner of the revitalised London Stereoscopic Company.

[@KieranRobinson-zz6ug]

Also magician of magick

[@davidtaylor6793]

The most astonishing thing is that this must be the most played guitar in history and he designed and knocked it up with his dad and it’s still going.

[@kevdean9967]

Willie Nelson's "Trigger" is in the running for most played guitar!

[@davidtaylor6793]

Kev Dean you are correct kev. Probably the two most played guitars on the planet. But trigger was built by a mega corporation and is falling apart and the thing that still amazes me about Brian’s guitar is that him and his dad only ever made one with zero experience and after over fifty years it not only still plays perfectly but they have attempted numerous times to replicate it without complete success.

[@kevdean9967]

@@davidtaylor6793 I see where you're coming from and I am blown away by what Brian and his dad accomplished!!. Calling Martin a "Mega corperation" is not accurate at all,. Martin in the mid 1940's was anything but a mega Corperation, and comparing a solid bodied electric with an acoustic guitar is the equivalent of comparing a bulldozer with a Ford F350, not a logical comparison at all in terms of durability!!!

[@KS-oi9ym]

@@davidtaylor6793 trigger is also much more delicate and hollow since it's a acoustic. Also Willie probably didnt care for it the same way...no matter what they say.

[@ureversencardo5678]

This is a kind of magic

[@MellowWater]

This is a musician that made his instrument. Then went on to literally make the greatest song of all time and play in one of the greatest band of all time. If something happens to that guitar I'll legit cry. The Red Special on it's own is a celebrity.

[@vincentl.9469]

Fact is it suits him, but not most people ..otherwise lots of people would buy the copies. They don't. It's not that well known it's a 24" scale...

[@chrisjamesr77]

@@vincentl.9469 I bought a copy myself a few years ago! It's a great guitar to play, but the 24" scale was definitely something I had to adjust to. I play it with 10s when it came with 9s.

[@teijaflink2226]

It was interesting to hear but if the parts Brian created in Bohemian Rhapsody as I have mostly heard about the song being Freddie's and what he created.

[@drajan5263]

This HAS to be one the most valuable guitars around, right?

[@DMSProduktions]

Well, it IS a 1 of a kind!

[@Stefan-]

@@DMSProduktions And used by an absolute legend on i guess pretty much all of his recordings and live performances. If it isnt the most valuable guitar it sure should be right up there.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

Ironic that a guitar built from scraps because he had no money for a Strat or whatever was the guitar store's cheapest offering.... has gone on, some 50 years later (can that really be so!?), to become so valuable that is priceless!

[@DMSProduktions]

@@Stefan- Yep!

[@DMSProduktions]

@@lueysixty-six7300 And yep!

[@timothycormier3494]

I’m shocked that he’s never had to refret the guitar. All those gigs after all these years and those frets look great. Not to mention that he built it with his dad. I have a guitar that belonged to my dad and I cherish it. I can only imagine the love for an instrument that I built with my pops. Very cool 😎

[@timothycormier3494]

Green Frog haha my dad says the same thing. Him and my mother went to see queen in “78” or “79” in Huston Texas. My dad says its still some of the best playing he’s ever seen. I just wish that I was old enough to had gone with them.

[@TheLambLive]

Gold plated strings (soft) on stainless steel frets (hard). Even so, if you look at 3:58 you can see just how worn down the frets are. Brian is just used to it.

[@timothycormier3494]

The Lamb are they at 3:58? Yeah they must be stainless. Because there’s no way they’d have lasted that s long if not. My uncle had 74 Les Paul custom. The frets were so worn down that I had trouble getting under the strings to bend them (and I like low action). But my uncle had no problem ripping it up. Probably because he’d been playing it since 1974. For Brian May, that guitar is probably like willies “trigger”. When it goes, he goes

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

@@timothycormier3494 Not stainless steel. They're normal vintage style frets. You're just forgetting that his guitar has a 24'' scale neck, and Brian uses 9's gauge strings. He started using Optima's gold, in the 2000's, if not mistaken. Before that he used Rotosound's.

[@pallecla]

It is basically a fretless by now. He is just used to playing without any fret height.

[@Tzzzmadiik]

“And in some ways we succeeded, partly by luck, partly by good design…” One can learn so much from Brian. Playing guitar, yes. Making guitar, definitely. But most of all, the most important lesson in life, humility.

[@leokimvideo]

This guitar Red Special and Paul McCartney's Hofner Bass with the Beatles playlist on the side are my top two picks for priceless guitars

[@n.rcashofficial]

I think this, Johnny Cash's Martin, Luther Perkins' Fender, and Willie Nelson's Trigger are the most iconic guitars. Specifically this and Trigger are so distinct.

[@skelter1153]

The fact that he and his Father built that guitar, and then he took that guitar and became an incredible success with it.... is almost like a fairytale. An AMAZING true story.

[@EmpressMissH]

This must be the world's most brilliant guitarist as far as I know. My number 1.

[@lakatsuki7037]

Hilda Poo good guitarist for sure but absolutely not the best one... Clapton page gilmour slash Mayer are so farrr bater

[@tommy_1629]

@@lakatsuki7037 hendrix,vai,hammett,malmsteen,hetfield,mustaine,satriani,dimebag,mick thomson,cobain, just to name a few..

[@DannyBoi2112]

@@tommy_1629 the Young brothers

[@samburger6739]

Poo

[@mads9270]

KirkHammettsWahPedal I can’t believe you actually just suggested that Kurt Cobain or James Hetfield were/are superior guitarists to Brian

[@TheLukejitsu]

What strikes me when I watch this is the parenting that happened in May's life and as a result of that you see a very balanced happy individual, someone who got through years of hedonistic rock tours and success without self destructive alcoholism , drug addiction etc. He had a father in his life who could see his son's passion and spent a year with him building that guitar. Really makes you think with where we are today, you have families sitting around a table all looking at a smartphone and hardly interacting.

[@swirlingfudge]

You’re just seeing the surface. Brian suffers with depression.

[@teijaflink2226]

He has unfortunately actually had/has mental health struggles, like depression and admitted to almost jumping from a bridge. But you can see he had wonderful dad at least (I don't know about his mother). Everyone is human even if he seems like a very unique, bright, amazing individual.

[@thefool2007]

Such a nice man for a genius. It’s one thing to make a guitar. But it’s another to create a signature sound. A natural engineer who is musically gifted. God bless Brian May.

[@StatusQuonald]

It's a miracle that it still holds tune and the wood's holding up so well.

[@KenMac-ui2vb]

I saw him play that beautiful guitar at Cobo Hall in 77. Couldn't BELIEVE how much beautiful music came out of one guitar. That stayed with me all these years.

[@Mancombseepgood69]

That guitar is literally a piece of history. Priceless

[@micromused]

The sound of a generation all home made & played with passion. Brian May a true legend. Red has to be the best guitar ever made.

[@vincentl.9469]

for him , for Brian, not for most people...

[@menegazzomusica8457]

Yeah that guitar is amazing you can do basically all The sounds you need

[@rockabillychuck]

I love how immaculate that guitar is and the sense of pride he has.

[@MarkArandjus]

I knew he made it with his father, but I didn't know it was out of desperation, and it made history, this instrument, that's incredible.

[@swirlingfudge]

Desperations the wrong word. Necessity

[@MarkArandjus]

@@swirlingfudge I suppose you're right, yeah.

[@bristolfashion4421]

What a bond between this individual & his dad - one of rock music's more positive tales. Well done, guys !!

[@ModularLanding]

Gotta be the most legendary guitar in rock history. It’s a one off. Priceless.

[@Mike35858]

I like the sixpence coin on the headstock, and the fact Brian uses them for a pick. Throw back to my youth when they were legal tender.

[@markhardman-haworth6583]

The holy grail of guitars, Brian is so composed & humble to share with us something so personal to him.

[@miaouew]

Brian's guitar is one of a kind. And so is he.

[@kingstumble]

I thoroughly recommend the book "Red Special" which Brian wrote with Simon Bradley. Detailed information on how it was built and lots of photographs. Fascinating.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Normally I don't like wear and tear on equipment, but this thing has been everywhere, stuff of legends:-)

[@aldito7586]

I'm only a few words into this interview and he already reminds me of Leslie West. In one of Leslie West's interviews they asked him "Leslie you played through a Les Paul Jr. and a P.A. head". "That's genius !!!" "How on Earth did you think of that?" / "It's not genius". "It's all I could afford".

[@caseylee12]

What an AMAZING , special thing, that Brian and his dad built a guitar together (according to Brian, because of finances) that he took and made incredible music with, taking this guitar around the world with him, and he has had all his life. Apart from the fantastic music, which is absolutely brilliant and beautiful, the story of the making is the guitar ITSELF is also brilliant and beautiful. And he gets to take a little part of his dad with him wherever he goes. I just called my son and told him we are making a guitar together, even if it has to be a "partscaster" , the story of this guitar moved me so much. Thanks to Brian and his dad, for all the wonderful music over the years!

[@peterdavenport5882]

GENIUS ! Way ahead of his time! So much innovation way back in 64.

[@Noisehead101]

What was innovative?

[@peterdavenport5882]

@@Noisehead101 Hi Pete, well there weren’t many Fender or Gibson guitars around in England back in 1964, so reference instruments weren’t that available. There was also no internet, books or magazines on guitar building back then. As I know, Information on this subject was limited or non existent. So to design a guitar and tremolo system out of scrap parts that has remained reliable for 60 years is pretty amazing. That, along with the roller saddle bridge design and the pickup selection options is pretty innovative in my opinion. These appointments seem commonplace today, but I can’t think of too many guitars that had all these appointments back then in 1964. Cheers.

[@Noisehead101]

@peterdavenport5882 yeah, the only guitar i know of with switches to switch the phase of the pickups around that time was a Fender Mustang, which is 1964. There might be others before that which I'm not aware of. It's interesting that Brian May and Fender were both basically building a guitar at the same time with switches specifically for that.

[@stewartchampion4260]

Evan if Brian never became huge..that's some achievement he and his dad pulled off ..what a story ...changed music and helped millions with his passion for music. And it came from an old fire place beam .amazing

[@JohannaNazareen1225]

Now that is a true and real guitarist that makes his own instrument and playes it for years and years. The fact his dad and him built it from, how he says, scratch only shows that both of them, his dad and him are true artists with Golden hands. Not many people would know how to do it. Respect! 👍

[@RtooGtoo]

Love the sound of that guitar, particularly on Queen's first album

[@shaynebergwever6268]

Always thought the Red Special is a Beautiful Instrument! One of the best looking Guitars ever!

[@Christopher_Bachm]

This story is so remarkable! Genius! Keeping the stings straight is a big deal. The humility is refreshing.

[@davidlawson7786]

Damn what a guitar, I would love to have a guitar like that, I want to build my own guitar now. I would love to borrow that guitar for a couple of weeks just to play around with my pedal board, so so cool. Also, Brian May is one of my first guitar heroes ever, him and Randy are Legendary.

[@owensmith7530]

You'd find Brian's guitar very hard to play probably. It has a very thick neck so unless you have big hands you'd struggle with that. The strings are very light due to 24" neck, and are not in the centre of the neck if you look closely. Oh and by now the frets have big indentations under each string.

[@patricksierra1]

and he uses a sixpence as a guitar pick. truly a unique guitar played by a unique person with a unique playstyle.

[@EliteRock]

Quite astounding to look at this guitar and imagine what's been played on it, in the studio and live, music known intimately to millions upon millions of people, over nearly *half a century.*

[@kylefellows2513]

Love how humble he is about things .what a credit to music for decades. A true legend.

[@1wibble230]

The tone of that guitar is just magical. I still listen open jawed to Bijou, my fave guitar solo of all time.

[@millerjk66]

Love you old man! Thanks for all of the brilliant music!

[@gregoryprice7223]

the most beautifulest gutair ever made and most amazing tone ive ever heard !!!!!!!Brian May!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@grantsewell782]

What a great story from my legend

[@metalben005]

Come to think of it, I started getting REALLY into music like 4-6 years ago maybe? I've come find that thrash metal is currently my favorite. Heavy metal in general has some of the greatest guitarist alive and I've been inspired by so many of them, but thinking back, Brain May was my first guitar hero. I always remember being blown away by some of the amazing riffs and solos Queen had offered. Brian May is truly a class act and and absolute giant in music.

[@metalben005]

@@holdenvtseries2274 stone cold crazy goes hard af

[@ureversencardo5678]

This guitar is a kind of magic. Just genius Brian May and his dad.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

It’s great to hear a passionate musician talking about his instruments. I am a massive Queen fan and when my friend got into them as well in the 1980’s he thought it would be nice to learn the guitar. I went with him to buy the original Red Special copy by Guild and he bought a used one number 39 along with the pedal. He was very lucky to find one as they were extremely rare. It turned out the new copy that you can buy now is nearer the original so when that came out he bought that as well. He now also has the new Brian May acoustic. It’s fantastic that a famous guitarist releases copies of his unique instruments so his fans can enjoy.

[@ThomasVogel-w8x]

It has a totally unique sound . Perfect.

[@bettybaby63]

Such an amazing history & achievement. And he’s so freaking smart. Congrats on 50 years.

[@stevejones183]

Not a bad bit of DIY !!

[@Doug5524]

Brian May a truly nice guy and a brilliant guitarist also my favorite

[@kevdean9967]

That guitar build is epic!!! Truely an amazing accomplishment!!!

[@adnanism]

His voice is so relaxing!

[@CreamyBone]

Damn... built one, got it right. - Couple hundred million album sales as evidence.

[@ukguy6762]

300 million to be exact 👍🇬🇧

[@timothybedwards5440]

Brian is a true Gentleman awesome builder and musician

[@davidbrennan3613]

Fantastic artist

[@albertochirinos80]

....the Red Special....one day will be in the British Museum....

[@JamesWalshBristolKids]

Great guitar. Love it.

[@JohnvanGurp]

Is there a nicer rock star anywhere on earth? I doubt it... what a guy!

[@xsitied2708]

brain may is so iconic and every way he can be

[@DonnaleaSpencer]

What a lovely interview. I like the questions asked of Brian. It's not just "so it's from a fireplace, yeah?" - The questions allow Brian to elaborate. Thanks.

[@bpabustan]

3 days ago, we played a set with my Burns Red Special, and we covered a country tune. Believe it or not, the bridge pickup alone can sound like a convincing Telecaster! Had my Burns for 20 years now and only recently discovered it have some twang in there!

[@RezaPratamaR]

never get bored watching it all over again

[@doug_1489]

I grew up listening to that guitar...nothing else sounds like it 🤟🏼

[@kcwliew]

The definition of priceless...

[@JL-rt9mi]

I could spend every minute of every day listening to great guitarists shoptalk about all the geeky little details of their gear even when it isn't self-built. This is 10x better.

[@recoswell]

hard not to be jealous of somebody so super talented at so many things ---- bastard

[@AndrewsSister75]

I am a Red Special owner and I learn so much more about my own model when I see these videos

[@ModularLanding]

Awesome! I have one on the way. Very excited.

[@jamesbeach5445]

@@ModularLanding are they hard to learn i want to learn guitar and buy one purely to try to play Brians Music

[@ModularLanding]

@@jamesbeach5445 Guitar is not that difficult of an instrument to learn to play. I encourage you to get a guitar and learn to play. Nowadays there are so many great videos online showing you how to play songs, including Queen songs. You can learn to play some of your favorite queen songs and be having a blast! Of course, mastering the instrument to the level Brian plays is another matter. That will take a lifetime! But you can learn to play the basic riffs from the songs and even some of the solos if you have diligence and patience. Good luck and I encourage you to try! It is such a wonderful thing to be able to play an instrument.

[@danielpooleoriginal]

Brian Mays voice is so soft, i nearly feel to sleep. He would be brilliant for audio books. 😅

[@barrywebber100]

Brilliantly interesting and illuminating interview. Brian is amazing. Thanks for posting.

[@Muckers.]

THIS CHANNEL DESERVES MORE SUBSCRIBERS!!!

[@tonymanns8249]

The current Brian May 'Red Special' guitar is amazing and is totally a steal at slightly less than $900. I've owned one for 11 years and I love it.

[@philipboug]

Thank you so much for your amazing openness Brian. You are a bloody legend!

[@TheThinker39]

Great interview! Interesting, detailed presentation of this unique guitar. It was nice to see that Brian has such a pleasant personality too. Thanks!

[@plesnitrener3299]

he has such a relaxingg voice

[@davidvitale9338]

I will say Brian is a gentleman relative to how many times he's answered questions and talked about the Red Special and he's still enthusiastic about it.

[@tempusfugit9796]

How much would this guitar go for at auction? This is the holy grail of guitars. A one off, made and played by one of the most iconic guitarists in rock

[@humptydumpty3444]

One of the smartest men alive

[@martinlicht1969]

Thanks, love sharing how his pickups work in and out of phase. A master craftsman, engineer, on top of being a most wonderful musician.

[@BAKO64]

I just adore HIS humble.

[@fish-n-riffs]

Absolutely remarkable!!

[@jtl215731]

Sure have heard some great tunes from Brian’s Red.. Thank you

[@precious7things]

This is an amazing story.

[@blakeoms]

Happy birthday Brian!

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you so much for this video.🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@RelishguitarsCh]

Wonderful Story ! ! !

[@robertobom747]

rock and roll icon, the greatest guitarist of all time (viva Brayan may)🇧🇷

[@RiggySmalls]

Is there a word beyond ‘legend’?

[@bassistselikuh5773]

The legend of guitar..1983 tutorial time

[@andyrawll9716]

Great interview

[@brucechavez9535]

The interviewer is so lucky to have that job. Imagine, you are seeing, facing and talking to one of the most iconic rockstar of all time. And I can tell that young dude has no idea how fortunate and lucky he is, for doing that kind of work that he's been doing... 😆

[@laurieguenther5898]

He should guard that guitar with his life. It's so precious to him. sleeping with it would be his best protection for it.

[@pmckillion82]

He's had it for near 60 years, he has guarded it pretty well but I'm sure he will appreciate the advice

[@owensmith7530]

On the South America tours the guitar had its own bodyguard or something like that and they slept under it, the guitar being slung out of sight under something. There's talk of this somewhere in an interview.

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

Good job Brian and your Dad! Amazing story, God is the best author. ❤

[@297banu]

LOVE HIM.

[@kathyk479]

Can't believe what good condition the Red Special is in! ❤

[@dasteelerfan1]

Great musician Technically sound And he built his own instrument Ultra fabulous

[@walterghebber6242]

legend absolute

[@alanscharrer5255]

Really given the year this was crafted, this was a revolutionary instrument

[@waltz9230]

Honestly this should be worth *W A Y* more than the David Gilmour’s Black Strat.

[@PapaceiraPiano]

SUPERLOVETHIS! Very beautiful design. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@premierguitar]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kawboy14]

The Stradivarius of electric guitars.

[@brianmay1617]

Normal guitarists: Mom I want a guitar! Brian May: Dad let's build a guitar!

[@Condor-uc2lw]

The most beautiful electic guitar ever made that has produced some of the most popular songs in history...interveiwer would you change it

[@nathanduke5323]

I have a replica that's pretty easy and a lot of fun to play.