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Average Price: $1,046

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Immerse yourself in the iconic sound that powered legendary tracks with the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar. This meticulously crafted instrument is a homage to the unique "Red Special" that became synonymous with rock royalty. Designed for both the dedicated fan and the discerning musician, it offers a blend of vintage charm and modern reliability. With its chambered mahogany body, this guitar not only reverberates with a rich, warm tone but also promises a playing experience that's as comfortable as it is compelling. Whether on stage or in the studio, the Burns Brian May Signature is your ticket to capturing that classic sound.

Key Features:

  • Chambered mahogany body for rich, warm tones
  • Three Burns Tri-Sonic pickups deliver versatile soundscapes
  • 24" scale length, perfect for intricate fretwork
  • Available in iconic Red Special and Sunburst finishes

Product specs

Brand Burns
Model Brian May Signature Special
Finish Red
Year 2000s
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Red
Fretboard Material Ebony
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What makes the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar unique?

The Burns Brian May Signature Guitar features a distinctive double cutaway design, a tremolo bridge, and three single-coil pickups, emulating the iconic Red Special used by Brian May. Its set-neck construction and ebony fretboard contribute to its playability and sustain.

Is the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar suitable for beginners?

While it can be played by beginners, this guitar is better suited for players familiar with electric guitar dynamics due to its unique features and setup inspired by Brian May's preferences.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar?

The guitar's three single-coil pickups offer a wide range of tones, from bright and articulate to warm and full, ideal for replicating Brian May's signature sound across various rock and classic rock genres.

How does the tremolo bridge on the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar affect playability?

The tremolo bridge allows for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects, enhancing the guitar's versatility while maintaining tuning stability when set up correctly.

What is the neck profile of the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar like?

The Burns Brian May Signature Guitar features a comfortable neck profile that facilitates smooth playability across its 24 frets, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing styles.

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Burns Brian May Signature Guitar

Video thumbnail for Burns Brian May Signature Guitar by Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Burns Brian May Signature Guitar

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Video thumbnail for Burns Brian May guitar from 2005 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Burns Brian May guitar from 2005 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for Brian May Plays Burns Signature Guitar - SIDEBURNS From November 2001 Guitarist Mag by James Rundle

Brian May Plays Burns Signature Guitar - SIDEBURNS From November 2001 Guitarist Mag

James Rundle

James Rundle

Video thumbnail for Burns Brian May Red Special - Guitar Review by Adi Hughes

Burns Brian May Red Special - Guitar Review

Adi Hughes

Adi Hughes

Reviews

PROS

  • Trisonic pickups offer unique, versatile sound options

  • Wide range of tonal configurations, up to 15 possible settings

  • Fat and wide neck ideal for players with long fingers

  • Delivers distinctive Brian May tone with treble booster

  • Excellent for studio use, praised for versatility

  • High-quality craftsmanship sets it apart

CONS

  • Neck is heavier than some players may prefer

  • Wide neck may not suit players with smaller hands

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Burns Brian May Signature Guitar.

Features and functionality

  • The guitar features Burns Tri-Sonic pickups known for their ultra-warm yet sparkly sound, providing a distinctive voice that is not extremely versatile.

    Source
  • The guitar's electronics offer a master volume, master tone, and individual on/off and phase switches for each pickup, which some find straightforward despite many possible combinations.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report challenges with tuning stability and intonation, possibly linked to bridge setup difficulties and loose pickups requiring frequent height adjustments.

    Source
  • Locking tuning machines, possibly Gotoh, are noted as good quality, although one user blocked the tremolo for improved tuning stability.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar's oversized neck and flat radius seem ideal for soft playing with a coin pick, but it may lack dynamics under a heavy hand.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Burns model differs from the original with a different bridge and tremolo, although the essential features like Tri-Sonic pickups and chambered body are retained.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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mattcartwright

Ultimate recording guitar

I had this guitar for about 5 years. I absolutely loved it, the pickup configuration set up is a great idea, the trisonics gave the distinctive BM tone. It was a quality instrument. I'd say it's the ultimate studio guitar!

tony_poukkula

Tone for days!!

Great playing and sounding guitar! A bit neck heavy, but sounds, plays and looks great!

yessicayeti

Very special. Incomparable. Perfect made.

A very special guitar. Perfectly crafted. Not to compare with anything else. Try it before you buy it!

jimmarchi1

I just wish they would do the wang bar right on all the affordable red specials. The Brian May designed vibrato is a really neat set up and I don't think a Wilkinson strat-style vibrato will be the same. That said, I do not use the wang bar hardly ever on any guitar so maybe I should stop whining. How deep is the neck? The real deal apparently has a really deep V unlike any other guitar.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Burns Brian May Signature Guitar

Billie Joe Armstrong

Guitarist, Singer

Green Day

...
Verified via reverb.com

This was owned by Billie Joe Armstrong from his private guitar collection and sold at reverb.com

See how James Dean Bradfield uses Burns Brian May Signature Guitar

James Dean Bradfield

Guitarist

Manic Street Preachers

...
Verified via Photo

One of the guitars listed in this September 2014 interview with JDB, in Guitarist magazine, is Bradfield's Burns Brian May.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Burns Brian May Signature Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Ampeg Reverbrocket Trans Am Combo
Ampeg Reverbrocket Trans Am Combo Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1

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