Queen Brian May on the trials and tribulations of building the Red Special May famously built the original with his father while in his teens. The duo even originally built the guitar's pickups themselves, though on that particular front they faced some headwinds Brian May on the one pedal that has come close to nailing his sound The pedal comes in at a mere $180 – but May adds that there is one thing it can’t do Brian May is in talks with Gibson to produce new Red Special replicas Speculation regarding what the new May-Gibson partnership will produce has been hotting up, and now May has poured fuel on the fire Latest Queen Watch Queen’s Historic “Bohemian Rhapsody” Live Aid Performance By Rod Brakes last updated 17 July 21 Video London’s Wembley Stadium is treated to “the greatest live performance in the history of rock”. Video Brian May Reflects on 50 Years of Queen's Regal, Operatic, and Peerless Rock Sound By Richard Bienstock published 28 June 21 In this Guitar Player exclusive, the rock icon looks back on Queen’s 50-year (and counting) reign and declares, “We’ll just press on with it.” The 10 Most Underrated Queen Songs By Guitar Player Staff published 25 June 21 The radio might not be ga-ga for these unsung Brian May cuts, but we certainly are. Arielle on Her Friendship With Brian May, Making an All-New Signature Guitar, and Following Her Own Star By Richard Bienstock published 24 June 21 Arielle arrives with a retro-leaning debut album and a signature axe made in collaboration with Brian May Guitars. Brian May Reflects on His Debut Solo Album, and How It Made Him Doubly In Awe of Freddie Mercury's Peerless Vocals By Richard Bienstock published 17 June 21 The Queen icon's solo catalog is returning to print, one album at a time, starting with 'Back to the Light.' How to Play Like Brian May By Simon Bradley published 9 June 21 Our insider’s guide to emulating the unmistakable style of Queen’s legendary guitarist. Watch Brian May Play "Ode to Joy" By Jackson Maxwell published 19 April 21 May recorded his own interpretation of Beethoven's Ninth as part of the all-star "Himno a la Alegría" video. Brian May Names His Best Solo: "It Was Quite a Step into the Unknown" By Jackson Maxwell published 3 March 21 May also revealed his favorite guitar solo of all time: "the hottest burning high-passion piece I’ve ever heard in my life." Brian May Talks About His Gear and Shows How to Play Queen's Hits By Guitar Player Staff published 28 October 20 Red Special in hand, May discusses his equipment and techniques, and demonstrates a number of his most legendary solos. Watch Generation Axe Jam "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Brian May By Jackson Maxwell published 5 August 20 Bettencourt, Vai, Abasi, Malmsteen, Wylde and May came together remotely for a shred-tastic jam for the ages. 1 2 3 4 Archives Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1Watch Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson shred “Crossroads” — plus details of their new G3 album2Fuchs' ODH hybrid tube/solid-state amp is a gig-worthy tone machine at an approachable price 3Bob Ezrin reveals David Gilmour's most important guitar technique4People say, ‘Do you think you'll be able to go out for 10 days'?" Peter Frampton gives health update as he gets his Rock Hall induction5Fender's new American Ultra II series boasts faster necks, advanced pickups and fresh contours to modernize its recipes
Watch Queen’s Historic “Bohemian Rhapsody” Live Aid Performance By Rod Brakes last updated 17 July 21 Video London’s Wembley Stadium is treated to “the greatest live performance in the history of rock”.
Brian May Reflects on 50 Years of Queen's Regal, Operatic, and Peerless Rock Sound By Richard Bienstock published 28 June 21 In this Guitar Player exclusive, the rock icon looks back on Queen’s 50-year (and counting) reign and declares, “We’ll just press on with it.”
The 10 Most Underrated Queen Songs By Guitar Player Staff published 25 June 21 The radio might not be ga-ga for these unsung Brian May cuts, but we certainly are.
Arielle on Her Friendship With Brian May, Making an All-New Signature Guitar, and Following Her Own Star By Richard Bienstock published 24 June 21 Arielle arrives with a retro-leaning debut album and a signature axe made in collaboration with Brian May Guitars.
Brian May Reflects on His Debut Solo Album, and How It Made Him Doubly In Awe of Freddie Mercury's Peerless Vocals By Richard Bienstock published 17 June 21 The Queen icon's solo catalog is returning to print, one album at a time, starting with 'Back to the Light.'
How to Play Like Brian May By Simon Bradley published 9 June 21 Our insider’s guide to emulating the unmistakable style of Queen’s legendary guitarist.
Watch Brian May Play "Ode to Joy" By Jackson Maxwell published 19 April 21 May recorded his own interpretation of Beethoven's Ninth as part of the all-star "Himno a la Alegría" video.
Brian May Names His Best Solo: "It Was Quite a Step into the Unknown" By Jackson Maxwell published 3 March 21 May also revealed his favorite guitar solo of all time: "the hottest burning high-passion piece I’ve ever heard in my life."
Brian May Talks About His Gear and Shows How to Play Queen's Hits By Guitar Player Staff published 28 October 20 Red Special in hand, May discusses his equipment and techniques, and demonstrates a number of his most legendary solos.
Watch Generation Axe Jam "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Brian May By Jackson Maxwell published 5 August 20 Bettencourt, Vai, Abasi, Malmsteen, Wylde and May came together remotely for a shred-tastic jam for the ages.