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Brian May Guitars BMG Special

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$899.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (36)

8 Reviews

Find out who is using Brian May Guitars Red Special

7 community setups

48 wishlisted

103 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated September 25, 2025.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (9)

$899.99

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5.0 (4)

$899.99

View Deal

£991.80

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Average Price: $900

Standard/Professional

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

In the Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars category, Brian May Guitars BMG Special is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Brian May Guitars BMG Special". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Brian May Guitars Red Special is not just an electric guitar, it's a piece of music history. This signature model is a faithful replica of the legendary instrument that powered Queen's unmistakable sound. The Red Special brings to you the exact tone and playability that helped shape rock history, without the need of a royal budget.

Constructed with a chambered mahogany body and a mahogany neck, the Red Special produces a resonant, lively tone that sets it apart. The unique chambered design allows the guitar to vibrate freely, offering rich harmonics and enhanced resonance. The 24-fret ebony fretboard paired with a comfortable set-in neck offers an effortless playing experience, catering to musicians of all levels.

What really sets this guitar apart is its innovative Tri-Sonic pickups. These pickups are key in reproducing that iconic Brian May tone - warm and rich, with bell-like highs and resonant lows. They are strategically positioned to reduce interference and can be adjusted to fine-tune your sound to perfection.

Finished in a stunning Antique Cherry and adorned with chrome hardware, the Red Special is not just a guitar, it's a work of art. This instrument is a testament to Brian May's genius and a celebration of his contribution to music. Own a piece of rock history with the Brian May Guitars Red Special.

Key Features:

Faithful replica of Brian May's iconic guitar
Chambered mahogany body and mahogany neck for resonant, lively tone
Innovative Tri-Sonic pickups for iconic Brian May sound
24-fret ebony fretboard with comfortable set-in neck
Stunning Antique Cherry finish with chrome hardware
Customizable sound with adjustable pickup height and pole piece spacing

Product specs

Body Type	Double Cutaway Chambered Body
Body wood	Mahogany
Body finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Neck shape	C-shaped
Joint	Set-in
Scale length	24"
Truss rod	Dual-action
Material	Ebony
Fret size	Jumbo
Number of frets	24
Inlays	Custom
Nut width/material	Graphite
Configuration	SSS
Neck	Proprietary Single Coil
Middle	Proprietary Single Coil
Bridge	Proprietary Single Coil
Control layout	Master volume Master tone
Pickup switch	5-Way
Special electronics	Coil-split Phase switch
Bridge type	Tremolo/Vibrato
Bridge design	6-point tremolo
Tuning machines	Locking
Number of strings	6 String
Case	Gig Bag
Orientation	Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Brian May Guitars BMG Special?: The BMG Special features a C-shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable grip suitable for various playing styles, making it accessible for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
What tones can I expect from the pickups on the BMG Special for rock music?: The BMG Special is equipped with proprietary single-coil pickups that deliver a bright, articulate sound with a distinctive edge, ideal for classic rock and Queen-inspired tones.
Is the Brian May Guitars BMG Special suitable for beginners?: While the BMG Special offers advanced features, such as a coil-split and phase switch, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it suitable for both beginners and seasoned players.
How does the tremolo system on the BMG Special perform?: The BMG Special features a 6-point tremolo system, providing smooth pitch modulation and reliable tuning stability, perfect for expressive playing styles.
What is the body construction of the Brian May Guitars BMG Special?: The BMG Special features a double cutaway chambered mahogany body, delivering a warm, resonant tone with excellent sustain, ideal for a wide range of musical genres.

Videos

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Premier Guitar

Queen's Brian May Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour

Premier Guitar

Queen's Brian May on Red Special

Premier Guitar

Review - Brian May Special Guitar

Production Expert

Brian May Guitars Red Special - Great Guitar? Or are you just paying for the name?

DG Sessions

BMG Guitar Review - Can You Only Play Queen On A Brian May Red Special?

James Rundle

Brian May Red Special Guitar (The BMG Special) Demo/Review

The Guitar FretZone

Brian May Guitars - Red Special :: Demo, Soundcheck

Darek Wawrzyniak (Darius Wave)

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Brian May Guitars BMG Special.

Features and functionality

1 0

The guitar features pickup and phase switches, allowing for diverse tonal options during play.
Source
0 1

The guitar’s floating tremolo block can cause tuning instability, particularly with heavy tremolo use, highlighting a potential area of setup adjustment.
Source

User experience

1 0

Some players find the neck thicker than preferred, impacting comfort, while others adapt over time.
Source
1 0

Some owners report stable tuning without issues, even with significant bending, suggesting variability in user experiences with this model.
Source
0 1

A few users report discomfort in playing, particularly when resting the guitar on the knee, contrasting with more ergonomic models like Strats and Les Pauls.
Source

Use cases and applications

1 0

The BMG Special is noted for its versatility and suitability for recording due to its varying tones.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 1

Consistent tuning issues with the low E string using the tremolo; suggested solutions include decking the tremolo block or checking tuner snugness and nut slot binding.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 36 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

amit_meir

341

about 2 years ago

Perfect for the Queen sound and much more

Perfect guitar for any fan of Queen/Brian May looking for that special sound.

Also great for other genres other than Queen's music and giving a special kick to different songs. Sounds even better if you add a little extra treble to your settings.

The pickup selection method gives me the chance to constantly experiment with different sounds for different songs.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

From Gear Setup

deepascent45

159

about 5 years ago

Iconic Look and Sound

I purchased this guitar about six months ago. The zero fret is great, the guitar stays in tune due to the locks, even when dive bombing. The combinations of phase options and pickup isolation adds a great versatility to sound options. I'd read reviews with complaints about the neck size and shape, but it seems to fit my hand size and shape perfectly. If you like Queen or classic rock, this guitar is a fantastic piece to add to your collection. The BMG isn't just limited to Queen cover bands; I've played everything from Weezer to Metallica and The Apaches on it and it handles them all.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Orchestra Metal

purple_fury

about 6 years ago

Most Dynamic

The most dynamic guitar I probably will ever own. Endless tone options with the pick up switches. Beautiful craftsmanship plus it's from Brian May Amazing

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

jeffrey_chip_barnes

about 8 years ago

MY B Red Special

I call it my Red Rooster for it screams . I love the zero fret makes the strings so flat against the frets. I still don't know why more guitar manufactures don't do this. I would play it more but when you pull it out most people expect you to sound like Brian and I will probably never get there Ha ha

rexkremer

235

about 7 years ago

Good price and quality ratio. You get value for money

Good price and quality ratio. You get value for money. For lovers of the sound and the possibilities of Brian May's guitar. It is not entirely a copy of BM guitar, but you can handle it well. It takes some getting used to if you are used to a Gibson or Fender.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

jeffsimmons1960

183

over 7 years ago

Love these

These are great guitars, and not outrageously expensive. Great playing guitars with the Brian May series switching system. I have 2, one in red and one in green. Just a tip, the Roadrunner MEG case works great for these, because of the bigger body.

Roles:

Guitarist

jos_de_vries

293

over 7 years ago

Good price and quality ratio. You get value for money

dvasq23

over 11 years ago

My main girl

This is my main guitar. The wide fretboard allows for fast playing and big bends. It stays in tune incredibly well. The pickups are a little darker and have an almost "squawking" quality to them. Extremely versatile with all of the pickup choices.