I just watched an interview with Brian May about the "Red Special" that he and his dad built around 1963-4. Very interesting in that, although the body has been refinished, the neck has NOT been touched. That means frets too - they are original!!! THis guitar has been on every album, every tour, if he breaks a string - he gets it back ASAP!!!(per guitar tech) As we all know, Brian is a string bender. If you look at closeup pics or video of the fingerboard it is shiny with no signs of wear. I just find that unbelievable! The story about them hand winding the pickups, the simple selector and phase switches. The wang bar, roller bridge, and nut should have been patented!! Ingenious! Wow, just an amazing story.
He also went on to talk about his dad. He said that his dad was not happy Brian wanted to become a musician as he had some significant university schooling. He thought Brian was throwing his life away - even after some relative success in the mid 70's. When Bohemian Rhapsody went crazy they sold out Madison Square Garden for two nights. Brian talked his parents into flying over on the Concord to see the show. Afterwards, his dad came up and said, "I get it now, I'm so proud of you." Brian had a hard time keeping it together telling that story. He also talked about how one of his grandkids told his teacher, "My grandpa is in a really cool band, you should go see them sometime - I'll bring you their name tomorrow...." HAHAHA!!!! Kids...... Boy do they bring you down to earth!!!
He seems like a really really nice guy. Dr. May!
Jim
Topic: Brian May (Read 4117 times)