dsgb

Build guitars, modify guitars, collect guitars, play guitars

Tag: Brian May Red Special

Treble Boosters

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For the 100th distinct web page on dsgb.net and the 50th site blog post, I have published an article on one of the perennial topics of conversation in Brian May enthusiast circles: treble boosters:

https://dsgb.net/gear/trebleboosters/

I cover some background information and restrict the discussion to three treble booster variants related to Brian May and Queen, the current 3-in-1 BMG Treble Booster Classic unit developed by Nigel Knight of Knight Audio Technologies for retail by Brian May Guitars, Brian’s KAT RED-18 strap-mounted treble booster and the Fryer Sound colour series (TB Touring, TB Plus, TB Super and TB Deluxe). There are embedded videos from Jamie Humphries demonstrating the Fryer treble boosters for Guitar Interactive and Frank Campese demonstrating the 70s setting of the BMG TB Classic.

DigiTech Red Special Pedal

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The fourth article for my musical equipment section covers the DigiTech Brian May Red Special pedal. It contains original photographs and PDF user manuals of this, and the other two DigiTech Artist’s Series pedals (Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton Crossroads), some additional photographs of the rack mounted version of this pedal that Nigel Knight built into Brian May’s back-up, touring and guesting rig, and an embedded demonstration video by Frank Campese.

https://dsgb.net/gear/digitech/

Burns Tri-Sonic Pickups: General Information

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I have written a short (<1,500 word) article intended as a primer on Burns Tri-Sonic pickups for general interest within a Brian May Red Special context:

https://dsgb.net/faqs/trisonics/

The article is illustrated with a number of original photographs, CAD renders and a few ‘library pictures’ like those depicted below:

Sixpence None The Richer

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The 2020 Brian May Red Special collectable sixpences were available on the Queen online store at £9.99 each but have already sold out. While browsing eBay recently I found the new ones already being offered for sale at highly inflated prices. Thankfully they were still in stock on the Queen online store at that point. I hope you managed to get one if you are a genuine fan and collect them. I’ve bought a few of each at RRP from the official store since the anniversary 2014 edition was released but I had to pay eBay prices for a 2015 Queen + Adam Lambert tour sixpence. The 2015 tour was the first time that I saw Queen live but I now regret not buying a collectable sixpence from the merchandise store.

https://www.queenonlinestore.com///2020-Brian-May-Red-Special-Sixpence/6S4E0000000

Hiscox Guitar Cases: Quality, Strength, Heritage

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A Hiscox Brian May guitar case in special order ivory ABS with tasteful silver grey lining arrived today. Thanks to the helpful Gus at Wunjo Guitars in Denmark Street, London for progressing the order for me. Hiscox guitar cases are made in Cannock, Staffordshire, U.K. Their website proudly states:

“The British home for musicians’ peace of mind since 1985. 180 of the world’s finest instrument makers choose Hiscox to protect their beautiful creations direct from their workshops”

If anybody is wondering whether it will accommodate a custom made Brian May Red Special guitar with an authentic thick neck in addition to the commercial Burns and BMG Specials, the answer, as you can see from the photographs is yes. However, you will have to remove the tremolo arm to be able to close the lid.

KAT Treble Booster Plush DIY Kit

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In his latest YouTube video, Nigel Knight (the guy who does Brian May’s electronic work) demonstrates how to assemble one of his excellent KAT treble booster Plush kits. The video is speeded up for the impatient amongst us. It is a must watch for any electronics enthusiasts who are also into Brian May gear.

The KAT treble booster Plush kit can be obtained direct from KAT (Knight Audio Technologies) at £49.50:

http://www.deacyamp.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=77

Information from Nigel’s website:

“This is a full kit of parts that will enable an electronics beginner to build a very high quality KAT treble booster. The components provided are the best for the job in-hand. They are the same components used for the builds of many KAT treble boosters and Fryer Sound TB Touring, Deluxe and Plus. The circuit board has been specially designed for the kit so that the build can be easy with all components identified on the board. The case is the same powder-coated, silk-screened folded steel unit used for the TB Touring, Deluxe and Plus, so rugged, durable and yet, attractive.
Sound-wise, this treble booster has been developed to emulate the 1980s era of Brian May’s tone with approximately 33 dB of gain, so think Queen from the late 70s through to the end. Think Wembley… Think Live Aid!
So, what’s in the kit?
Well, everything you need to successfully build the TB except for a few hand tools and a battery.”

KAT Studio-D Deacy Style Amplifier

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Following up on the recent story of the KAT Studio-One all-valve practice amplifier, Nigel Knight has released details of the other part of his R&D endeavour over the past few years. Nigel recently announced:

Brian was never happy that we had to discontinue the production of the Deacy Amp replica, but the decision to do so was based purely on the fact that we could no longer source transistors with the correct characteristics that matched the original, either locally or globally and certainly not in the numbers we needed to extend production. So from the point that Deacy Amp replica serial number 0150 rolled out the door, I was on a bit of a mission to design its replacement.

This then, is the Studio-D. It is germanium Deacy’s silicon brother if you will. After years of trawling through transistor specifications, we finally found a set that could be configured to provide the same responses as the original AC125, AC126 and AC128 transistors. We are still using the original Deacy circuit, transformers and components albeit with the odd bias-tweak here and there and it still fires into a single 6.5″ twin-cone speaker. The resulting amplifier sounds magnificent and we’re really pleased with it.

The Studio-D is equipped with an adjustable battery simulator (DABS Unit), HF tone trim pot (that mimics the tone dulling effect of putting a tea-towel over the amplifier) and a built-in attenuator that has been optimised to the speaker and Deacy responses and, like the Studio-One, allows you to dial-down the volume.

Brian May Rig Tour

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Simon Bradley (Bradders) has written an article for Music Radar in which Brian May’s long-standing technician Pete Malandrone (Mallers) discusses his current touring rig. This consists of a strap mounted KAT treble booster and Sennheiser SK-500 transmitter, a Sennheiser EW500 G-2 receiver, a custom splitter designed by Mike Hill, Dunlop Crybaby DCR-2SR rack mount wah wah and TC Electronic G-Major 2 rackmount effects units. Check it out at the link below:

https://www.musicradar.com/news/brian-may-rig-tour-brians-not-going-to-use-a-fractal-rackmount-and-in-ears-he-wants-to-hear-three-screaming-ac30s-behind-him-thumping-him-in-the-back