So I have to start out by saying something potentially controversial…. I’m not a Queen fan. Okay, so that’s out, but I have to say, I definitely respect the ability and tone of Brian May. I definitely get it.
I remember reading out how he built that guitar when he was a kid, but I didn’t realize it was literally built with items found. Neck from a fireplace mantel, body from a table, trem arm is a knitting needle and various bike parts. Truly amazing that he and his dad put this together, and actually works as well as it does without having prior luthier knowledge.
Here is a older video from 1992 (submitted by neilmurraybass) where Brian May goes into detail about the guitar. Very cool.
In the video it mentions that there are reproductions of this guitar, so I had to see for myself, and yep you can pick up the Brian May signature guitar for $799 at Musician’s Friend.
The Brian May Signature Electric Guitar features an acoustically chambered mahogany body, a dual truss rod mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. The pickups are Tri-Sonics that Brian sealed in Araldite adhesive to prevent microphonic feedback inherent with metal covered pickups. These are controlled by the original Brian May switching system with individual on/off and phase switches, one volume and one tone pot.
