dsgb

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Author: dsgb

Brian May Red Special guitar and equipment

AmpliTube Brian May

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IK Multimedia of Modena in Italy has released a Brian May collection for their industry-leading AmpliTube Custom Shop guitar amplifier and effects PC, MacOS and iOS modelling software in August 2019. Costing £99.99, it is available as download direct from the IK Multimedia and Brian May Guitars websites or the Apple stores.

https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/brianmay
https://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/bmg-electronics/amplitube-brian-may-download.html

This emulation software is one of the cheapest and most straightforward ways to recreate many of Brian May’s tones, especially the complex three amplifier, twin delay Brighton Rock solo. It is ideal for quiet practice when used with a suitable interface such as the iRig HD2 and monitor headphones and as a travel outfit. Renowned professional guitarist Jamie Humphries helped develop the tone patches and you can watch him demonstrate the software on this official video:

Brian May Guitars Treble Booster Classic

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Made in the U.K. and engineered by Brian May’s electronics guru, Nigel Knight, this compact, multi-mode treble booster pedal combines three uniquely-voiced circuits that faithfully replicate Brian’s most recognisable tones from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The tones representing each decade have been meticulously modelled on the actual vintage equipment used by Brian during each period of his career – his germanium transistor Dallas Rangemaster from the 1970s, the silicon BC149 transistor powered Cornish TB-83 installed on his pedal board throughout the 80s, and an original 1998 Greg Fryer strap booster.

Nigel Knight analysed every nuance of the original circuits to realise an authentic reproduction of their tonal responses and output profiles. This 3-in-1 treble booster provides amateur enthusiasts and professional guitar players alike the opportunity to select the distinctive sound of their favourite Queen era using a switch and level control based on the lathe-turned aluminium control knobs fitted to Brian’s Red Special guitar. Whether you seek to replicate the heavier Queen tracks such as Stone Cold Crazy, the live sounds of the 1986 Magic Tour or explore your own ‘New Horizons’ with Brian’s more recent works, this will be the only treble booster you will ever need. Available now from Brian May Guitars and Knight Audio Technologies:

https://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/bmg-accessories/bmg-tb-classic.html
https://deacyamp.com/collections/products/products/bmg-treble-booster-classic

Signals Music Studio

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If you aren’t already aware of Jake Lizzio’s instructional material, I recommend you check out his YouTube channel, Facebook page and website, Signals Music Studio. I have read and watched a lot of information about music theory in recent years but none comes close to Jake’s ability to make this topic accessible and fun. Check it out whether you’re a beginner or an advanced guitar player.

https://www.signalsmusicstudio.com
https://www.facebook.com/signalsmusicstudio
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDDHLvQb8HjE2r7_ZuNtWA

In the embedded video below he explains why he believes that the chord progressions in We Are The Champions (enthusiast code WATC) are perfect. I agree with him, but it’s sure nice to understand why.

Guyton RS Transporter #0817154 (No. 9 of 25)

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In January 2019, I was very pleased to be able to acquire Guyton RS Transporter #0817154 (No. 9 of 25). I am the instrument’s third owner after it was originally commissioned by Craig Farley of Queen Tribute band Forever Queen. I’ve been unable to see them play live because most of the venues they play at are in the south of England. Check their pages out:

https://www.facebook.com/foreverqueenhampshireuk/
http://www.foreverqueen.co.uk/

The Guyton RS Transporter was designed by Red Special community stalwart Martin Pitcher and is expertly realised by Suffolk luthier Andy Guyton. It has achieved the distinction of replacing the scalloped fretboard Guyton Red Special as Brian May’s pre-concert warm-up guitar.

https://www.facebook.com/Guyton-Guitars-201657545404/
https://www.guytonrstransporter.com/

In the unlikely event that you’re not already familiar with this guitar, please check out Craig’s unboxing video on YouTube where he makes a significantly better job of demonstrating it than I ever could. The guitar is designed to be a travel variant of Brian May’s original Red Special with woods, neck dimensions, Adeson Tri-Sonic pickups, pickup spacing and controls closely reflecting those of the original instrument. It is obviously headless and makes good use of the JCustom XS tremolo bridge.

Demonstration of Guyton RS Transporter 0817154 (No. 9 of 25) by Craig Farley, lead guitarist with Queen Tribute Band Forever Queen.

The pictures in the gallery below are copyright Andrew Guyton of Guyton Guitars.

The Guyton RS Transporter from Guyton Guitars.
Danny Porter, guitarist from “Burn The Headlines” checking out his Guyton RS Transporter.

Epiphone Sheraton Union Jack Outfit

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This immaculate 2015 limited edition Epiphone Sheraton Union Jack outfit arrived today. I am delighted with it. It looks killer and plays like a dream. I thought it might be a fun addition to my man cave but it’s just a lovely thing to play. Lighter than a solid body Les Paul but with the same style: angled neck, LockTone™ Tune-o-matic bridge, Frequensator™ tailpiece with Gibson USA mini humbuckers. What a beauty!

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Union-Jack-Sheraton.aspx

Festive Season Good Wishes 2018/19

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Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2019 from DSGB. May you all receive quality music-themed socks and find better uses for treble booster effects pedals than I did.

Queen Extravaganza/Nick Radcliffe

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Last night (1st November 2018) my wife and I took our son to see the Queen Extravaganza at the Clyde Auditorium (SEC ‘Armadillo’) with an overnight stay at the Glasgow Hilton to celebrate his ninth birthday. Queen Extravaganza is the official Queen tribute band put together by Roger Taylor. The band line up for the current U.K. tour consists of: Alírio Netto (lead vocal) François-Olivier Doyon (bass guitar) Nick Radcliffe (lead guitar) Darren Reeves (keyboards) Tyler Warren (percussion) On the 2018 tour, the band play a large selection of songs from Queen’s Greatest Hits catalogue to packed auditoriums around the U.K. There was a lively atmosphere and an appreciative audience at last night’s concert.

I doubt that Nick ‘Radish’ Radcliffe will remember me, or thank me for posting this image cropped from our whole school photograph in 1987, but he was in the year above me at St Bees School in Cumbria until he left. I remember him distinctly due to an altercation we had in my first year (1985) on Eaglesfield house… Public schoolboys… It’s a small world.

After studying music at Middlesex University, Nick has built a successful career as a respected session and performance guitarist. He has played with Gabrielle and M People and performed in the West End with “We Will Rock You”, “Rock of Ages” “Motown The Musical” and “Jersey Boys”. You can read more about him here:

https://about.me/nickradcliffe

See some examples of Nick’s guitar tuition work at FretHub’s website or the Facebook page and YouTube channel:

http://www.frethub.com/
http://www.facebook.com/FretHub/
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6kVJKgge9–bWgQJiQWjQ

Some clips from Nick’s audition for the Queen Extravaganza on FretHub’s YouTube channel

Maryport Bitter and Blues Festival 2004

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While browsing my photo albums I had a flashback to one of those rare and memorable occasions when a big name star performs at a small local venue: in this case legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy at The Maryport Bitter & Blues Festival in August 2004. I was right at the front and the ringing in my ears took at least a week to subside! The festival was beginning to gain momentum and Buddy was the biggest star to appear at that time. He played all his best material and engaged with an enthusiastic audience in an intimate marquee venue via his mid-song conversations, a crowd ‘walkabout’, some musical impersonations of greats such as John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Marvin Gaye and he threw all his guitar picks into the crowd at the end. My only complaint was that his crew did the longest sound check in history… Nothing like building anticipation!

https://www.facebook.com/maryportbluesfestival/

Spotted. Mr B. Guy. Loud and proud and way off his usual manor in West Cumbria.

Here’s My Badge

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Collectors of Queen and Brian May gear, merchandise and memorabilia should look out for these quality collectable lapel badges on eBay. Long since discontinued, they measure 2 1/4″ (57 mm) long by 7/8″ (22 mm) wide and are decorated with black and reddish brown colour enamel. The proportions of his famous Red Special guitar and the placement of the hardware are relatively authentic given the small size of the reproduction. The pin badges affix in two places with one pin located behind the guitar headstock and the other behind the guitar body (not visible in the photograph below).

“Here’s my Badge”. Background texture courtesy of John Deacon’s amplifier.