Queen – News of the World
The music gear and equipment used by the artists, producers, engineers, and more involved in the making of the 1977 album News of the World.
Music from News of the World
Artists on News of the World
Gear Used On News of the World
Explore the instruments, equipment, software, and production tools used in the making of Queen – News of the World (1977). Click more on each item to see exactly how it was used.
Brian May
Roles:
Guitars used by Brian May on News of the World
Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
John Birch Red Special Replica
Brian's first copy and main backup from 1975ish till 1982, built by luthiers John Birch and John Diggins. It had flaws which created unstable tuning and a stressful show in New Jersey 1982 saw the guitar flying over the Vox stack and landing in 3 pieces. Eventually sent away to Fender's John Page and returned 20 years later, it was repaired and once again resides in Brian's private collection as a memento of the Queen days. “I suppose you know the story of its demise? Did I throw it over the amps in a fit of pique? Well, obviously I would never do that… [laughs]. But yes, I think that’s what happened. The featured link shows the guitar during it's use during the "Spread Your Wings" music video.
Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Avg price: $899.99
As evidenced by this photo from a 2017 performance at London's O2 Arena (courtesy Wikipedia), and per this article from Guitariego, dated March 19, 2020.
Though there have been many replicas and reproduction made over the years, original Red Special, the actual guitar he built from scratch with his father when Brian was just a teenager, is still Brian's main guitar.
This is one of the few homemade guitars famous enough to have it's own Wikipedia page.
Amplifiers used by John Deacon on News of the World
Avg price: $399.99
Peavy 2x15 cabinet is a part of John Deacons rig in Spread Your Wings/We Will Rock You music videos.
