The second article on the musical equipment section of this website contains some information on the replica Foxx phaser unit made by U.K. effects pedal builder, Nick James. It includes embedded links to two review videos, one from the U.K. 2019 enthusiast meet and one from Italian Queen tribute band guitarist, Marco G. di Marco. Check it out here:
https://dsgb.net/gear/foxxphaser/
Tag: Red Special
Burns Tri-Sonic Pickups: General Information
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
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
Burns Brian May Red Special Upgrade
My latest project to upgrade a 2004 Burns Brian May Red Special is complete. Check out the details here:
https://dsgb.net/projects/burns/
KAT Treble Booster Plush DIY Kit
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.”
Brian May Rig Tour
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
The Red Special Book
The second edition of the coffee table book on the story of Brian May’s Red Special – “the home made guitar that rocked Queen and the world” was published on 1st October 2020 with two new chapters included. One explores technical repairs and maintenance and the other, the Red Special’s role in the Academy Award-winning movie Bohemian Rhapsody, revealed in Brian’s own words and Gwilym Lee who played Brian in the film. The book, written by Brian and Simon Bradley is a celebration of the iconic guitar that Brian May built with his father and has treasured and played all over the world for over 50 years.
The embedded video below is a 35-40 minute presentation by Brian at the original launch. He demonstrates the capabilities of the Red Special by playing it through three Vox VBM-1 practice amplifiers. You can get your copy of the book mail order through the London Stereoscopic Company or via the usual outlets such as Amazon.
https://www.theredspecial.com/
Brian May Red Special Replica Full Design and Build
I am pleased and relieved to report that the approximately three year labour of love to make a replica Brian May Red Special guitar is finished. I have written 60 numbered articles covering every part of the project plus four additional articles describing the design process, covering tools and tips and listing the materials, parts & suppliers. These are richly illustrated with hundreds of detailed pictures and should be of general interest to Queen and Brian May enthusiasts including anybody who is considering embarking on a similar mission. This has been like undertaking a second PhD in terms of the time and intellectual effort I expended so please check out the project pages on this website here:
https://dsgb.net/projects/redspecial/
Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Limited Edition
The Red Special now inspires a new Seiko 5 Sports watch whose dial echoes the design of the guitar which Brian and his father built in the early 1960s. Seiko celebrates Brian’s creativity and his music with this Seiko 5 Sports watch. Brian commented: “I am delighted to see this watch come alive, and proud that the creation of me and my dad all those years ago has inspired this collaboration. I love my Seiko and it has served me well for many years. I will wear this new one with pride.”
The dial has the same red and black color scheme as the Red Special and features a delicate wood-like pattern like the body of the guitar. Special markings on the case back. The watch is offered as a limited edition with Brian’s signature on the case back and comes with “LIMITED EDITION” and the serial number 0001/9000-9000/9000.
The presentation box also contains a commemorative coin that is based on the sixpence that Brian has used throughout his career as a plectrum.
https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/5sports/special/brianmay/
Available from May 2020, £500.
CNC Cutting MayStar Mother-of-Pearl Inlays
I had been wanting to try some inlay work for a while, for a challenge and something different to do. I constructed the shape by overlaying arc and line segments over a zoomed high resolution image, adjusting all the positions until the spacings were symmetrical taking account of photographic parallax then finally traced over that with a polyline. Care needs to taken to get the feed rates and spindle rotational speed correct first time because this small (42 x 22 x 1.0 mm) sheet of mother-of-Pearl (nacre) cost £7.49 from Rothko and Frost. Next I need to compile the cutout toolpath for the perspex. This is not as straightforward as simply linearly scaling up the object in CAD and using it as a subtrahend to create a rebate. The entire object needs to be reconstructed from a closed polyline which has an outline that is uniformly larger by the cutter diameter.
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