Brian May Unveils “World’s Pinkest Pink” Red Special

Brian May holds the "World's Pinkest Pink" Red Special

(Image credit: Brian May/Instagram)

The color of Brian May's legendary Red Special - no matter which variation of the guitar it might be - is sort of baked into its name.

That's why we were surprised when the Queen guitarist announced a version of the Red Special finished in the “world’s pinkest pink."

The fluorescent pink powdered paint-finished guitar, as it turns out, was created for May to use in a video for an upcoming single, the proceeds of which are set to go to two women's cancer charities.

May plans to subsequently auction the guitar to raise more money for the two charities.

"As far as I know, this is truly the first pinkest pink guitar," May said. "It has a strange effect on the video cameras - comes out burning hot but not quite how it looks in the room!"

Bri with the world’s first “World’s Pinkest Pink💥” BMG guitar. Specially made by my guys for yesterday’s video shoot. There’s a reason for this ! The track is to be released for the benefit of two great women’s Cancer Charities - and since the music is totally appropriate, I thought the guitar ought to be, too. The release will raise money and I’m also hoping to auction this guitar to raise some extra funds. See you in October ! 💥💥💥💥 There are some interesting stories about this pigment. Try Googling “pinkest pink”. As far as I know, this is truly the first pinkest pink guitar. It has a strange effect on the video cameras - comes out burning hot but not quite how it looks in the room ! Bri - photo by @by_yuval_hen Brian Harold May
A photo posted by @brianmayforreal on Sep 19, 2020 at 9:31pm PDT

Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com and GuitarPlayer.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.