How To Sound Like Brian May - Guitar Sounds

A common question often asked is how do I get a guitar sound like Brian May of Queen?

Do I need a Red Special guitar replica?

Do I need a Vox AC-30 amp? 

Should I use a Treble booster?

Do I need to use a sixpence coin as a pick?










The truth is the sound is a combination of a lot of different factors. 
A Red Special replica guitar isn't going to magically produce the unique tones you've heard on your favorite Queen record.



The Red Special guitar gets it's unique tonal possibilities from the way the three Burns Tri Sonic pickups are wired with the in and out of phase selector switches. You can achieve a Brian May sound with a Stratocaster but it isn't going to have the same amount of tonal possibilties.

A Treble Booster is an essential piece of kit and without it you are not going to really get anywhere. There are number of different kinds available and I believe Brian May uses Greg Fryer Treble Boosters 

Brian May uses Vox AC30 amps live on stage. Brian's amp are modified to his own unique spec.
In the video below Craig Farley demonstrates the difference between an off the shelf AC30 and a modified version

In the studio Brian May didn't always use VOX AC30 amp like many think, He relied on the famous DEACY amp made by John Deacon. This was built from an old speaker and a radio circuit board and powered by a battery. Mixed with the Red Special and a treble booster many of the unique guitar tones we hear on Queen records were created

In the 2003 Vox produced the Vox BM1 with the help of Brian May to produce a Deacy sounding amplifier with a built in treble booster.
James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition reviews the amp in the video below

WHERE CAN I BUY A BRIAN MAY GUITAR?

Now discontinues as is the Vox BM1 Digitech produced a Brian May pedal which produced many classic Brian May sounds.

In the below video we look at how to produced a Brian May guitar sound using Guitar Rig 5 Software

How To Play Like Brian May - Guitar Tutorial

HOW TO PLAY LIKE BRIAN MAY - Guitar Tutorial

A brief overview of essential aspects of Queen guitarists style.

It's worth noting that I'm using a Vox BM1 amp which has built in Treble Booster which is essential for creating the Brian May sound,
As a plectrum Brian uses a old sixpence,

Many people have messaged in asking how to go about writing their own Brian May style guitar guitar riffs.

Hammer To Fall tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H70DO...

I Go Crazy guitar tutorial : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auqG8...

One Vision guitar tutorial : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcczb...

We Will Rock You guitar tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6a9A...

Sweet Lady guitar tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWqlD...

Hang On In There guitar tutorial : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVuRY...

Dont Stop Me Now guitar solo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuWNX...

Killer Queen guitar solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIRK5...

Brian May Guitars & BrianMayGuitars.co.uk Website Review

BRIAN MAY GUITARS PRODUCE A RED SPECIAL REPLICA AVAILABLE AT BRIANMAYGUITARS.co.uk

Mini May Review https://youtu.be/yfEpfKXKxN4

TAE Pedal http://www.taefx.com/

A few people asking about knitting needle nob for tremolo arm. Search eBay for "Trem Arm Knob" and they are very cheap

TAE pedal owned by Brian May and replicated the circuitry of the Brian May Vox AC30

This video hopefully answers a lot of the questions people have sent in asking about the guitar

The biggest and most popular question is where to buy the guitar. The simple answer is BrianMayGuitars.co.uk

On the site there is also availability The BM Super which is an almost identical replica of the Red Special.
Also produce
Rhapsody Acoustic Guitar
Mini May Guitar
Uke
Red Special Bass Guitar


Please Note: I do not work for BrianMayGuitars

Where Can I Buy Brian May Twin Neck Guitar - Adrian May Guitars

Where Can I Buy Brian May Twin Neck Guitar - Adrian May Guitars 

A lot of people keep asking me where they can buy a Brian May Twin Neck guitar built by Guyton.
I recently became antiquated with Adrian May RS Guitars on Facebook who makes excellent RS copies.
After speaking on the phone he said he was taking orders for RS Twin Neck guitars to the exact specifications as those in the picture

Check out Adrian's website www.rsguitars.xyz 

Brian May - Star Licks - Intro Riff Guitar Lesson Tutorial - Guitar Tab

In the early 1980's Brian May of Queen made a guitar tutorial video called Star Licks. It included a small guitar tab booklet to go with the video.

Unfortunately the introduction guitar part of the video was never tabbed of explained.

In the above video James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields has made a tutorial video explaining how to play it.

Below the full Brian May Star Licks Video

The Updated Brian May 'Mini May' Guitar Review by Rock Licks Guitar Tuition

The new design above 

The Brian May 'Mini Guitar' has recently been updated with a improved design.

Still featuring the Red Special shape and Trisonic single coil pickup the bridge is further down the body enabling a 18 fret neck and better intonation. 

The old design above

Available from brianmayguitars.co.uk  the guitar is advertised as a travel guitar but serves well for younger guitarists.

This in my opinion is the best short scale guitar I've played and with the Trisonic pickup you are still able to get a decent Brian May sound on a guitar that holds it's tuning and a neck large enough for an adult to play. But with a body small enough to allow a child to play

Check out YouTube review below for a full look at this awesome little guitar

review by James Rundle of Rock Licks Guitar Tuition in South Shields www.rock-licks.com

Guitarist Magazine October 2014 - Brian May Red Special

With the release of Brian May's Book Red Special Guitarist Magazine featured the iconic guitar and it's story

Brian May's Red Special Book