Queen's Brian May Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 лип 2014
- Full Rig Details: bit.ly/BrianMayRR
Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGUA-cam
If there was a Mount Rushmore of British guitar heroes, undoubtedly, @Queen's Brian May would grace that mountain. We caught up with May and his longtime guitar tech Pete Malandrone on Queen's summer tour with Adam Lambert to talk about his minimal effects, Vox amps, and of course, the Red Special.
Brian May's entire career has been almost exclusively spent with the guitar that he and his father built in 1964. "Red Special" is a three-pickup, double-cutaway guitar with Burns pickups and a very unique (at the time) switching system that allows May to cover a huge range of tones. According to May, everything on the guitar is still original from when it was built except for the tuning pegs and the rollers on the bridge.
During a typical show, May switches guitars during two songs. "Fat Bottomed Girls," which is in dropped-D tuning, is played with a Red Special replica that's green and was built by British luthier Andrew Guyton.
For "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," he uses another Guyton Red Special replica with the addition of an f-hole-which was featured on May's original designs for the guitar- a non-trem bridge, and an internal piezo pickup that is utilized during the opening parts of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." All his guitars are strung with Optima 24 Carat Gold .009--.042 strings.
For more on May's rig and setup, visit: bit.ly/BrianMayRR
Full Rig Details: bit.ly/BrianMayRR
Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGUA-cam
Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com
PG's Facebook: / premierguitar
PG's Instagram: / premierguitar
PG's Twitter: / premierguitar
PG's Threads: threads.net/@premierguitar
PG's TikTok: / premierguitar
#guitar #rigrundown #queen #brianmay #guitarist #guitarplayer
For more on May's rig and setup, visit: bit.ly/BrianMayRR
Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGUA-cam
Q
The Red Special is the equivalent of someone dreaming of being a racing driver, building a car at home with their Dad, and then going on to win the F1 world championship in it.
Gerry James Edwards your a Motorsports fan as well?? Cool
Jack Brabham then
Exactly!!
.........and he did it First Time out of the gate. The first car he ever built won the race.
Gerry James Edwards Pink Floyd pink Floyd interviews concert footage and that’s good all Pink Floyd thank you
Couldn't afford a guitar, therefore built one and became a legend
He has a PhD in Astrophysics.....!!
Billy Hamlen that so cool right?
because his dad was an electrical engineer.
Asked Rory Gallagher .... how do you get your sound?. Rory Gallagher explained it to him. Disappointing this lad did not mention it here. Whats your email and I will send you the video of Brian explaining it himself.
'I owe Rory my sound' - Brian may
@unrepeatable raddish wrong. its all due to Rory Gallagher.
Brian May (as well as some other players) are the perfect example of just how much the individual holding the instrument matters to the sound it makes
Dr. May gave the most genuine, friendly, sincere interview I’ve ever seen from a rocker. He didn’t simply give one word answers with a “ god, when will this guy go away” attitude. He responded to all of the questions with an in depth, articulate and charming demeanor. Good on you Dr. May. Queen Works.
Agreed, a charitable but not wheedling tone.
Interestingly, Brian May spoke like this about Rory Gallagher, saying he always had the time to talk to young Brian after gigs, when Brian was just a kid.
to be fair this guy actually asked some good questions. nothing too generic
Dr.May , so educated that Queen played South Africa in the Apartheid System.
So intelligent.
I've noted that too.
He built his own guitar because he couldn't afford one. And he still plays the same guitar. That's mind blowing to me. He's really loyal to his guitar.
hotman718 His father and him made the guitar because they wanted to....
@@70mjc no, it was because they couldn't afford to buy one.
It's hard to give up on ole faithful.
The guitar is excellent in design and construction considering it was made by people with no experience of guitar making and other limitations to boot. There was no internet and it was nigh impossible to obtain the materials and information needed to make any guitar. That said, it's not going to play or sound as good as something from one of the top makers - It's obvious he sees his dad in that guitar and it means a lot to him to keep on using it... How many dads would make their boy a guitar like that?
If he had a better sounding guitar he likely would play it! So incredibly unique sound!
Possibly the most valuable electric guitar in the world. It has a history and pedigree no other could match. It's may even be priceless.
I bet Pete the tech never takes his eyes off it
leokimvideo James Hetfield Et Fuk
Also prince’s
Theres quite a few priceless guitars out there
My all time fav is the Paul McCartney 1963 Hofner Bass that has the Beatles playlist taped on the side. I couldn't imagine how much that bass is worth. It has a history with the Beatles and is seen in many video clips. I'm pretty sure it would pull a record price if it ever went to auction.
Hendrix's Woodstock Strat is probably worth more
When an engineer is also a guitarist, this is what you get. He doesnt just understand music. He understands how pick-ups work, how electronics work, how they combine with the physics of the wood, strings and how it all works together. And the result is legendary!
Oh c
I'm surprised he didn't build his own effect pedals or amps with his background.
@@Michaelgracon Funny, 'cause John Deacon did!
yep....another Tom Sholz, for sure. : )
Aren’t all guitar techs guitarists?
I love Brian’s moment of realization when trying to describe the pickup configuration, he says “It gives you that Bohemian Rhapsody solo sound.” Yeah Brian, we know what you mean.
greatest father son project ever-RED special.
Brian is the jedi of guitarists. The jedi had to build their own light saber.
He’s the Yoda of guitar
Fantastic analogy!
Uh......
@@Jezcassar Very talented he is.
Luke didn’t. He never even finished Jedi school.
Brian's voice is just ASMR
ASMayR
@@BossySwan I see what you did there
You MAY be right.
I was just thinking that 🤓
He should do tutorial asmr videos
Brian has such a mellow, likable manner. His humility is such a contrast to the heights of his talent. I'm so glad they captured this in the movie.
Not to mention the fact that you also rarely find that kind of humility among people that have obtained PhD‘s.
Steve Vai once stated: "I can emulate every other guitar player, except Brian May". That says enough
Kinda bullshit tho. He can’t emulate any blues player lol
@@stitcha123 Or Johnny Marr!
Or Shawn Lane.
@@stitcha123 lmao
Steve Vai can not emulate Jimmy Page. Steve Vai is a gutless Turd.
18:12 Love that Brian smiles when he remembers playing his first gig with the guitar.
That is INSANE that the Red Special has never been re-fretted. I have a '93 strat that's never been used by a professional musician, some gigs sure but nothing extensive standard wear and tear but the thing is coming up on 30 years, and could really benefit from a re-fretting which I will probably do this year or the next. The Red Special has been on countless world tours, probably logged close to 400,000 hours of playing time, been through all the mishaps, drops, spills, scratches, dents, dings, and still keeps on trucking with the original frets. That's honestly amazing.
I thought the same thing, how could that be possible?
@@scottydog62 Probably the way he plays, since the Red Special has a short scale length and he's using really light strings I guess the frets could potentially last...A very long time...I suppose the alloy of the frets also makes a difference...
@@jeromewagschal9485 Yeah, he uses 8 gauge strings..his left hand has a very light touch...if you compare it to SRV for example, i remember his tech in an interview saying that his strats had to be refretted every month
I agree , it is insane. That axe must have had thousands of hours of playing. I'm wondering if it has been re-fretted since this video.
Dad helped build his son a guitar so that the lad would burn off extra energy and concentrate on his Astrophysics degree, but the lad took the guitar and disappeared with a group called Queen. The rest is glorious history
Khurmiful He did still go on to get that Doctorate in Astrophysics; Dr. Brian May, Ph.D.!
You make it sound boring.
He technically disappeared with Smile, which later became Queen
When i went to see Brian May back in 99 when the Roadie was tuning The Red Special...the guitar just on its own got an ovation of applause from the crowd. Not seen that before or since.
I feel like Brian May has all the room/right in the world to be a total prick if he wanted to be, but he’s not. Any interview I’ve ever seen, he just comes across as a genuinely nice person who’s still grateful for everything he’s earned after all this time.
RobJGoldE I’ve notice the musicians that come from very poor backgrounds like brain may tend to be the most down to earth due to knowing what it’s like to have no money and then making it big and making tons of it lends perspective
I met Brian in Arizona back in 99, actually was around him for a few days and I can tell you first hand that he was genuine nice person. Absolutely no ego and very humble. Talked to him several times asked him many questions and he was nothing but gracious.. Really good guy with a very gentle being..
Awesome dude
RobJGoldE cause he knows what poor is.
Just like Steve Vai said about him.
I've seen many rig rundowns with guitar techs, sound guys, etc. etc. But when you get a chance to have a long sit down and have a casual chat with the person that actually plays the thing that takes it to a whole new level. And to top if off it's Brian May who just seems like a great kind human being in every way. Such a great story teller as well.
Being a huge Queen fan since the first album in 1973 it's really great to see Brian so down to earth and humble after all these years.
Brian is a class act. It's always great to learn that someone you admire is actually worthy of the admiration.
What a down-to-earth nice guy. No pretense, no ego.
Compare him to narcissistic, douchebag egomaniac John Mayer's interview where he ego-maniacally tries to convince us he's not a narcissistic, douchebag egomaniac.
Indeed.
Jim is the man Brian is a much better musician also...
Best rig rundown ever... It's probably the only rig rundown where the original guitar builder gets to talk about his master creation and how he ruled the world with it!!
Of course Brian May has a down-to-earth, affable and polite guitar tech.
Did we watch a different video?
@@AshtonEbs I mean, he is down to earth and nice…
May is a poet. His pen , the guitar. His white paper, the heart of people. From a little songwriter from italy.
@ALL LIVES MATTER. 😊🕊🙏
Wow Brian May is such a down to earth gentleman.
The only scientist that's ever seen a wormhole
He gave her a dollar to see it and she never told him her real name.
karmpuscookie :"The only scientist that's ever seen a wormhole"
---
Not only did he see it...he also filled it up with matches.
He saw a wormhole and filled it with a matchstick.
What?😂
Sander Ayala the neck to his guitar is from an old fireplace mantle and it had some small wormholes in it that he put matchsticks in.
I'm one of those fortunate people that saw Queen first time they came to the states.....1974. Admired Brian ever since.
Live at the rainbow?
Brian May is without a doubt the kindest, most patient and well spoken rockstar ever! I could listen to him explaining things for hours. Having him as a musical legend alive and well is an amazing privilege to us all. Hope he lives in this world for lots of years to come, because we all know he will live forever otherwise
Never knew he played with a coin. Cool.
Hank Hill I tell ya whhat
After this video I tried playing with a coin and it's heaven. It gives you a lot of freedom and it doesn't get stuck as easily. I think I'm a coin convert.
Hank Hill An old English shilling to be precise... think i have a few lying around. Might give it a go
Hank Hill Brian uses an old 6 penny piece, known as a "tanner" in pre-decimal days.
terrypussypower i have like 50 of them :P
How fun to see the guy who built a guitar out of sheer necessity to love that instrument so much 40 years of playing later.
LOL, at 9:00, when Pete says "Don't touch it!", I think he's quoting Spinal Tap, but the interviewer either doesn't know the reference or doesn't catch it.
yea, he totally missed the reference....funny...because he also says "This is a beautiful guitar" which is almost a direct quote from the movie
@@jfkesq its impossible to catch stuff like that lol, that's how i usually describe guitars.
At first I only thought Pete was being a bit rude, but then I remembered Spinal Tap and everything made sense 😅
"you've seen enough of that one...." LOL
Don't even look at it! It can't be played
I wonder how often Brian has been telling his story about Red Special.
He's in love with his guitar! 😉
As a non- guitar player, I don't understand most of the technical aspects, but I always find Brian so interesting to listen to. Such a gentle, brilliant gentleman.
Im in love whit my car
He is a gentleman indeed!
As a guitar player, i can tell you that Mr May and his red special are literally like holy ground! There are only the rare few in history that are held in his regard.
And Roger is in love whit his car! 😉
Just ...Brilliant. Great job Jason - but how did you resist not grabbing "Red" for a go? That guitar is literally priceless. It has created some iconic recordings. I love Brian's history - stick with the same axe for not just the entire show - but the entire career. There is also a piece of his dad's soul in that guitar.
I sold Brian a vintage Les Paul many years ago in Chicago. Nice guy...
Is it the one depicted in the Bohemian Rhapsody film during the session for “We Will Rock You”?
@@Shred_The_Weapon I would love to know the answer to this
One of the most recognizable and unique sounds and styles in R&R history!
Made his own guitar and still uses it, does his own interview too. Unlike some other guitarists... ahem...
A living legend this man is.
He's famous for that, but to truly know what he's capable of, and completely blow you away, do read his astrophysics papers. He (Dr. May, Brian) is also quite an active scientist...
Don't forget Brian was the one who suggested to Satriani a way that the chrome finish on his guitars could actually work, after early ones peeled off. He adapted a technique used for making radio telescopes.
Antonio Gallagher, I agree, not many guitarists would sit, and chat about their guitar, other guitarists would have said "If I give a trade secret away, then I would have to kill you". Brian May is not like that, at all. He is 1 geniune guy, with a guitar, a PHD in Astrophysics, and a big heart, in my humble opinion.
I saw Queen here in Seattle at the Seattle Center Coliseum in 1980. After the concert me and a friend of mine were hanging around the back of the venue - and after Roger, John, and Freddie ran out and burned off in their individual Limo's - Brian walked slowly out of the arena and up to about six of us and signed some stuff then took off too. That was the most explosive, massive, awesome, and inspiring show I have ever seen.
Great story... Brian is a genius gentleman.
+memo heap Even back then he just exuded the gentlest, kindest aura I'd yet to see a rock star put out.
+Kevin Kiso I went to that concert and I saw Brian May in his limo on the way to the Seattle Center! You cannot miss that hair profile!
+GuitarMaven You're joking me! That was the greatest rock and roll show I've ever seen.
ITS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T GET DRUNK, USE DRUGS, OR RUIN HIS BACK AND WALLET WITH GIBSONS, LOL
What a beautiful story of his instrument. The boy became a man and a pioneer in his craft with what his father and he built together...so special.
One of the most successful musicians of all time but so down to earth. Humility personified.
Let us not forget to give deserved credit to Pete Malandron, Brian May's Guitar Tech. His words of wisdom in the last minute of the video should be taken very seriously by all guitarists. It's not the equipment, it's you.
Brian May is a real gent.
First met him and had a chat down when Queen were working at the Manor Studios, Kidlington just outside Oxford.
Again saw him down at Metropolis Chiswick working just before Freddie died.
He is an under rated guitarist and a really intelligent chap.
Heck of a nice guy and real privilege to have met him.
I wouldn't consider him underrated at all. He's so unique, has a huge following at home (in Ireland), in the U.K, Europe, the whole of the Americas, Japan, the Antipodes and beyond. After Freddie, everyone was there to see Brian. Jeff Beck refers to him as the governor and he is very influential in the guitar world. Underrated...I don't think so.
Russtafa B ... He is not under rated. He is a legend. Belongs with the greatest.
I don't think Brian is under rated. I wonder what makes you think that way.
Russtafa B Lmao, EVERYBODY considers May as a legendary musician. Underrated......LMAO
I think it's very strange for you to say he's underrated. He is widely known to be one of the most prolific and greatest guitarists of all time.
I love watching these, my job used to be a IT server technician and seriously these guys who deal with this level of equipment are not dissimilar to a server and switches rack set up etc. The guitar techs almost need a degree in IT lol.
Pete was awesome, Probably doesn't take enough credit he deserves, but...... Brian May, so humble, so forth coming, so inventive and yet so affordable. Brian has always been up there as "one of my greats" . So clean, so fluent, so damn stinking good. We've seen a lot of guitarists over the past 50 years, but I've got to say, for what this man has put out into the world as far as music goes, yet he can still sit down with some guy and show the same passion he's had since the day he built his own guitar with his dad really shows what kind of person he is. Great video, I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing!
Geez, I feel like I should have paid money to see this.
Yea exactly
Don’t give them any ideas...
hutchbt, you did, unless your computer and Internet is free.
this video is way too good to be true
Why hasn't the Queen of England given the "Sir" title to this guy?
Great Interview!!!
If anyone should have it he should!
Mack Whitaker
Agreed. I Love it that he's a Scientist!
It dispels the notion that all guitar players are drugged out idiots LoL!! jk
He should get it for service to music
he was awarded the title of CBE back in 2005.
It may have been offered but refused.
Brian is probably my favorite out of all them. Just so genuine and humble.
Now that was a great interview...no stupid questions
9:00 "... don't touch it"... a Spinal Tap reference always makes me smile.
Kenji Kitahara
Yeah, if I were the interviewer my next line would be “I wasn’t going to touch it. I was only looking at it”.
Dude didn’t even catch it.
Brian's guitar tech is arguably the best and the coolest and the most awesome guitar tech of all time. He's the kinda dude you'd wanna hang out with 'cause he's both smart and also super cool with a killer sense of humour.
ummm, and me saying I think he's cool bothers you because... ?
+aryo borzin Taheri Probably 'cause he's not as talented as him, will never achieve anything close to Mr May's achievements & it obviously annoys him greatly or he'd say nothing; he'd have no need to say a thing.
Mark Thuaux that must be it, 'cause I don't see another reason either!
+aryo borzin Taheri 👍
+Drum Secrets Seeing as I made no comment to Mr May, to whom am I actually groveling to ? Someone whos's post I happened to agree with ? Sorry dingbat but sychophantics has never been part of my social makeup. I've never felt the need but to express my feelings clearly & you're a ubiquitous bloody git.
Wow...very humble gentleman. Lot of respect to Brian and his band mate Roger for keeping Queen going. Freddie left us far too soon.
This is the most important and priceless guitar ever existed.. More than 40 years of playing at the most important places around the world and with and around the best musicians of the world.. Amazing and historic hits has been recorded and played with this one, plus it's the only one that exists.. No other guitar had the time and duration,the music, the venues, the people this one of a kind guitar still has and having..
Brian is a very well spoken and considerate man. Nice to see.
Brian May, Doctor Brian May (Doctorate in Astronomy) is well regarded in UK and probably much farther afield. I have read various Queen related books and "to a man" people comment on his warmth and sincerity. A very stark contrast to Freddie's flamboyant public image, although Freddie was always said to be shy and private out of the public eye.
Lyn Goodwin yeah, I think there are a few audio clips around of Freddie and Brian arguing. 2 totally different personalities but musically they fit like a perfect mortise and tenon joint.
Brian May and his tech are both class acts, and the interviewer does an excellent job. A superb video.
How impressive is Brian May? Massive legendary rock star giving his time to give a thorough interview. Class act 😎 🎸
Brian seems to be very warm hearted person. He wears a Seiko watch, which is what we all could afford. Nice guy.
I love Brian May so much. He's a great guy and extremely smart and stands up for great causes
yes smart, vegan, animal activist, environmentalist, Physicist, songwriter, record producer, astrophysicist and author, vice-president of animal welfare charity, the RSPCA...WOW!!
In a BBC interview in 2010 May said that he would rather be remembered for his animal rights work than for his music or scientific work. ♥
imuurme he also did the theme for the highlander tv show, that of itself should win him a nobel prize.
imuurme is he vegan???
Sara Gatti
He's a vegetarian since the 1970s. :)
Good upbringing
watching this, something struck me. So many guitar players, myself included, spend years and money in pursuit of a sound they hear in their heads that they may never truly get or be happy with. Brian May found his sound very early on and has never changed. That's enviable and pretty amazing, really.
I have 10 guitars and the one I put together from parts 30+ years ago was my #1 for years. 1 Dimarzio X2N pup, vol knob and a hardtail bridge. It gets no more basic than that. When you find something that works, stick with it. I used Marshall for years but fell in love with a Carvin 1x12 60W X amp combo. I picked up a Sundown combo at a gig for cheap and am still learning about it. I use no effects but the Accutronics reverb tank. Good tubes are a must. Fender Medium 351 picks or maybe an occasional 1mm Clayton is what I use. Not as cheap as a 6pence but coins never did it for me.
Tone/sound is all in your fingers; you can sound like another player but never exactly. That's one reason I like a cord. A $10 cord is as good as a $50 Mogami.
The sound found him, really.
I think there is a point where YOU are coming through your equipment, microphone,, amplifier- whatever. When you find it, I don’t think it matters what you play. Folks searching for that “killer tone” simply haven’t found themselves.
@@charliezxi So you are 100% correct. Great comment.
For such a success he really comes off as a laid back level headed man who loves his craft. Great interview on both ends!
It's just amazing how good guitar red special is! he sticked to it after day 1 and the sound he made of it is just unique. Never heard a story like it as an professional guitarist... you cant think Brian playing with out she!
Quite remarkable that he's still using the very same guitar that he hand built himself when he was only 17!
The guy is amazing.
I got to meet Brian in Tucson Az a few years ago and actually got to spend some time w him. He was honestly one of the humblest, genuinely nicest people I have met. No Rockstar attitude whatsoever , really nice man..
"You lucky bastard" - Life Of Brian - Monty Python 1979.
I'm SO seriously jealous
I saw Queen in the late 70s and Brian May blew me away. One guy rock machine.
Brian May Rig rundown:
Here is a vox, a treble booster, some chorus and delay and a homemade guitar.
The end.
Sounds pretty much like my rig, except replace VOX with Line6... :D
@@ldorman Aline 6 ouch
@@erictred4529
It's about setup - the Line 6 isn't bad for the money you get them.
If they getting compared with digital amps costing twice or three times what the Line 6 does or even compared with tube amps - these are the reviews I can't take serious.
I have a small Park/Marshall G10 practice amp and the 75 Watt Spider IV amp.
It has settings what make it sound terrible and it has settings it sounds great.
Orku5 woah so does that mean you have a homemade guitar? Dude, youre awesome.
@@ldorman Yeah, people like to hate on Line 6, but in this day and age there are very few amps that actually sound bad. I don't personally use them, as I used Peavey prior to going all-tube and have been using a mid-90s Crate VC50 since, but I've demoed a small handful of amps and heard a lot of great players use them and they really are pretty solid in the price range. If you want to spend less money, Line 6 can work just fine. If you want to spend more money, why go solid-state anyway when tubes sound nicer? I got lucky with my current amp, as I got it for free and only spent around $50 in parts to restore it to original working order, including replacing all the capacitors in the unit due to the age of them. Still, if you get the sound you want, who cares what gear you're using?
It's absolutely amazing how both Brian and his dad were able to come up a
guitar like this that sounds both unique and amazing. What great minds of father and son!
I wanna know about the trem system and binding.
Wonderful history and amazing story!
He clearly love's his instrument very much, and I love that he get's so many different sounds out of it!
Man Pete is an absolute legend!
24:05 Has made millions of dollars as one of the biggest rock stars in the world, and yet Mr. May wears a Seiko SKX007 that costs $200. Shows how down to earth he is, even after all these years.
it doesn't prove shit
Its a great watch tbh
That’s Dr. May to you sir
braclo93 my thoughts exactly!! Super down to earth guy!
@Michael Persico Yeah I agree but compared to modern pop and rap stars classic rock stars typically fare much better. Most of them chill out in a t shirt and jeans and they spend only on guitars.
What a couple of top blokes, Pete Malandrone is a real character and so forthcoming with information, he doesn't try to hide anything or make it look cooler than it really is, he just tells you what the stuff is and how it gets used.
Brian May has to be one of the nicest guys on the planet, laid back and self effacing while still being a true virtuoso.
This guitar is, to Brian May, as is Excalibur to King Arthur. I just hope he has arrangements to have this guitar preserved in a bullet-proof transparent box in a museum; that is, when his time eventually comes (not for a long, long time, we hope). What a phenomenal instrument. I'm sure guitar luthiers all over the world who watch this video are salivating over this guitar, wishing they could get their hands on this instrument -- just once. Wow!
Phillip Allen I hope that his guitar, when he passes, is buried or cremated with him because it has become such a big piece of him that it shouldn’t be separated from him in the afterlife
Not yet, but Rory Gallaghers have been.
'I owe Rory my sound'. - Brian May
Eddie Latko I’m sure his son will take it
@@gaylehunter7744 It's not the guitar. It's Brian May. You heard his tech speaking at the very end of clip. Doesn't matter who plugs into his rig, they don't sound like Brian May. And it doesn't matter what guitar Brian May picks up and uses - it still sounds like Brian May and no other. His guitar isn't some secret weapon. It's just a functional tool which he uses, like an old man who has driven the same reliable car for decades.
We are taught not to use oak as a tone wood. Would love to know the design. Sounded like the oak is under the veneer, which is most likely mahogany. the fret board is yellowish so I would guess rock maple painted black. The neck it self could also be rock maple stained or mahogany. Real mystery?
By this interview, you'd never say he's a rockstar. He comes across like e totally random nice guy on the street, just talking and being ordinary. But of course, he's anything but that, and that's why i like him.
"If you give me your silly American girlie power ... I can make it man's power, stuff that'll kill you if you touch it." Sick voltage burn, and Spinal Tap's "Don't touch it." I'd expect nothing less from a guitar tech for May.
Bet that guy can fuckin shred too. He knows his shit!
Sexism is a good thing?
@@AshtonEbs Well, I'd say it is a human nature thing. And I'd also say that it - like all "ism's" - is something we're ALL guilty of. "Girlie power" isn't a term I'd use, but I wouldn't excoriate him for using it in this context either. But then, I'm an old fart. Shit! There, I did it! Ageism.
Anyone else lusting after that gorgeous archtop version of the RS?
Don't touch it.
spinal tap moment!
+1
My goodness I could listen to Brian talk all day.
That interviewer on the other hand...
mano a mano I try to ignore him haha
mano a mano That interviewer was excellent. He asked all the right questions. Surprising depth.
mano a mano That interviewer was excellent. He asked all the right questions. Surprising depth.
I can't imagine how proud brian May's father is of him
9:02 “Don’t touch it”! Lol! That flew RIGHT over the interviewers head!!
WOW. Kudos, Premier Guitar for doing this. Brian May is just a giant, musically, and always so gracious and articulate personally. His music means the world to me and just getting to see the Red Special in such mouth-watering, close-up detail was a geek's dream come true. Absolutely love Brian's tech, too. What a cool guy.
He's also a astrophysicist so technically it's Dr. Brian May! AND an animal rights activist, which he has stated he would most like to be remembered for. A Renaissance man of our time.
That's like OJ Simpson wanting to be remembered by his football career..not happenin.
Wish he would be my professor
@@taunokekkonen5733 Really good analogy lol
Rebecca Coley i almost liked this comment, but i really want to try dog meat.
ianster101 literally hahahahaha
32:35
Now THAT is the mark of a legendary guitarist.
Probably every single one of us watching this can pick out a Brian May solo from miles away, on any type of track, on any day.
Brian May’s sound is literally the sound of Brian May.
"Don't touch it"! LOL....am I the only one who picked up that 'Spinal Tap' reference? Too bad the interviewer didn't.....
LMAO!!!!
Yes, I spotted it too and was sure he was referencing Spinal Tap - otherwise he would have said it earlier when the other guy was almost touching it!
Fascinating listening to Brian May describe his guitar, even though it all went over my head. Below is a link to a tutorial he did back in 1983 which explains a lot of what he was talking about...ua-cam.com/video/wkhmDEKeaBU/v-deo.html
The ACDC guitar tech also tried to squeeze in a Spinal Tap reference at some point, and interviewer also didn't pick up.
Hahaha
"Valves" sound a lot cooler then tubes, ahahahaah. That part got me.
I agree!!!!! I recently acquired my very first Marshall. I now have an all valve amp. Even calls them that in the Manual.
***** He knows that "Marshall is a British" amp company that makes valves "tube" amps. It's was mentioned in the video 31:29.
Yeah, anybody who knows anything knows you can only get those classic rich British tones using a valve amp & you can only get the sweet American twang happening with a tube amp ;)
rarch1968
You summed it up flawlessly!
Fleming ripped off Edison's patent and coined it as a Fleming Valve, hence the confusion. Vacuum tube is a better description overall since they aren't all created equal. Another English wanker ripping off an idea and then having the balls to file for patent, later invalidated, in the country in which it was first created.
Brian talks like a scientist, which makes sense.
Well, he studied astrophysics.
He has got a degree in astrophysics, so it does make sense.
+Sean Landis Brian May attained a PhD in astrophysics. Probably the most educated guitarist in rock.
+1960pj yes that's why sean said it
He is a scientist. He has a PhD in astrophysics...
Such a humble guy and very-gifted guitar player. I am not the biggest Queen fan, but I absolutely love Brian May.
Fantastic interview! You asked all the right questions!!! I've been a Brian May fan since I heard the first Queen album back in the 70's. This was a blast to watch!
I wanna cry... 💧. There are no secrets, just his passion. A great passion behind his so soft gentleman ways... ❤️
brian may's red special: killing the tonewood debate since 1963!
+manifestgtr You mean Fireplace Oak isn't 'tonewood'? :-)
The guitar works for Brian's tone because that's the sound he's been associated with. But that doesn't mean you could use the same materials he used to build Red Special and put together a Les Paul that could emulate Jimmy Page.
+manifestgtr Don't know what you're saying. Is it killing as in supporting the belief in tonewood, or killing as in disproving it? Seems like it could go either way as in, the wood is obviously a "tonewood"; or since it was from a fireplace it's obviously not a tonewood.
Please, elaborate.
+Dagger 323 well that is just illogical to the tone wood debacle
What does a les Paul with a different scale length and pickups have to do with Brian's guitar?
Yeah I know you are trying to find ways around it but no if you chucked these woods in a les Paul and all the rest of the spec was the same it would sound 100% like a les Paul
Give up trying to find ways around it
It doesn't work like that never has
Brian May is like an Anglo-Saxon king that plays a guitar with coins.
"You can see the wormholes which I filled with matchsticks..."
Now that is how an ownmade guitar should be built...
The best guitar interview ever
As a non-guitarist, huge Queen fan, it's amazing how much technical knowledge is needed to be as good as Lord May.
well, just passion to play and to be better in that every time :D Im not talking bout building guitar because u know :P
Like that interview, hearing him play without an amp and talking about his tone is asmr lol His guitar sounds great even without an amp... id listen to that like that for hours. lol
It doesn’t hurt that he had it assembled with the hollow cavity, which I think is one of the areas in which it owes something to the Rickenbacker 300 line.
Absolute legend of a musician and so humble as a man ....always a pleasure to listen too .... the music from the 60 s - 70 s and 80 s will never be repeated again ...
Pete Malandrone is a funny guy.The equipment is interesting by itself but his personality made this even better.Queen fan since 73.
+martin vaccaro He seems like he'd be great to work with, great to hang out with--great guy all around.
He definitely is, this is a brilliant rundown
+Victor Niquel i have met him at a queen show. i use a replication of brians setup and its fab ;)
Jeez, I just got obssesed with Queen a month ago and I already want to study astrophysics and learn to sing, play guitar and piano \(O-o)/
Brian seems to be the nicest rockstar. Great Interview.
his voice is so relaxing...
I'd like to complement the interviewer. Really good questions.
Good job.
I didn't know Robert Plant knew enough about guitars to be Brian's tech
LMAO!
For fucks sake i knew i have seen that face before. !!!
Speaking of Plant, cue in here at 6:00 and get set to see him play a bit of guitar during soundcheck with Alanah 'Black Velvet' Myles' band. There is another clip of him on YT where he's using a Strat. ua-cam.com/video/JLXKVqOcORc/v-deo.html
Both of them are gentleman and great sports to spend the time and share their craft with us...thank you!
Dr. Brian May is on the Mt Rushmore of guitarists and he is giving the most in depth interview about his craft. Very enjoyable interview.