It’s not easy to choose an instrument for someone with a collection like Brian May’s, which includes guitars from the brand… Brian May, designed it by himself. Of these, Antique Cherry and Red Special are probably the best known. But May doesn’t stop at his own brand. Let’s go back a little, say, 63 years. What was your first guitar? It was an Egmond Toledo, a small acoustic instrument he received when he was just seven years old.
Guitarist worth his salt, if you have Fender, you also have to have Gibson. Of course, Brian May has his too. In this case, the guitarist didn’t even make the most elaborate and sophisticated choice, he chose a Gibson SG Standard, which is beautiful, yes, but not surprising. Guitarist worth his salt, if you have Fender, you also have to have Gibson. Of course, Brian May has his too. In this case, the guitarist didn’t even make the most elaborate and sophisticated choice, he chose a Gibson SG Standard, which is beautiful, yes, but not surprising.
One of the most eye-catching that May has used on stage is the Baldwin Hank Marvin from 1966. The musician played with him in the mid-70s, but for a short time.
While his lifelong guitar tech gives Premier Guitar the lowdown on his collection of AC30s, the British guitar star chats to us about making Red Special with his father and his penchant for sixpence coins.
Brian May of Queen would surely be on the Mount Rushmore of British guitar giants. On Queen’s summer tour with Adam Lambert, Premier Guitar sat up with May and his veteran guitar tech Pete Malandrone to discuss their basic effects setup, Vox amps, and the Red Special.
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