Brian May's Red Special: The Story Of The Home-Made Guitar That Rocked Queen And The Wo

What an amazing book about Brian May's faithful lady companion the "Red Special" guitar that has been his faitful sidekick for almost 50 years.The book goes into great detail of how Brian and his father made the Red Special in their garage over almost 2 years when Brian was a teenager (16-18). They were so poor back then that Brian could not afford to buy even a used electric guitar and so his dad convinced him that they could make one out of things they found around the house.The body was made from an old oak table top, the neck from a more than 100 year old fireplace, the tremulo arm from a bicycle saddle bag holder and the end of the tremulo from one of Brian's mum's knitting needles (glad it wasn't fluorescent pink right?). The only things Brian purchased were the pick-ups and the frets and strings. He even made the mother of pearl inlays from buttons he found in his mum's sewing basket button box.If you've ever wondered what makes Queen and Brian May's "sound" so special - it's definitely Brian's love affair with his guitar. The Red Special is one of a kind... Brian describes it as his "voice".

Astounding.Truly. Brian May is such a consummate guitarist. And as most of us fans who happen to be guitarists know, that with the help of his father, Brian designed and made a killer guitar. This book digs in and shows us how, and that is an amazing story of creativity, practicality, love, perfectionism, dedication, patience and freaking brilliance. In over 50 years, the truss rod has NEVER needed adjustment! What? And the frets? Never replaced!! Damn. If you're a guitarist, you know how unheard of that is. Plus, if you're not a guitarist, but you are a Queen fan...the book is a fantastic insight into Brian, as well. It touches on the relationship he had with his Dad, especially for the two years it took to make the guitar. Using hand tools and mostly parts that were lying around in Harold's shed in case they could be used for something someday, a priceless guitar was created. Brian's description of what it felt like to play on top of Buckingham Palace on the Queen's Jubilee Anniversary concert is worth the price alone. If you're a guitar geek like me, the fact that Brian let them take the Red Special APART in 2013 (except the tremolo block---wisely leaving that alone) to photograph all its insides...man, it sent ME into spasms of gear terror. Enough said. I find it hard to express how much I love this book, this story, this music, this guitar, this man. What a true genius.

Dr. Brian May is an incredibly talented artist and The Red Special is an incredibly crafted and unique instrument. When Brian plays The Red Special he becomes one with the instrument and creates magical music. Brian is the most generous, intelligent humanitarian. We should all strive to live to his standards. Oh, the book was fabulous and if you are a Brian May fan or a Queen fanatic like me you will treasure this book. I highly recommend this book.

A must have book for the guitar history buff and, or, luthier. Brian’s, and his father’s, design and ingenuity in creating this unique and durable (even til this day) guitar is mind blowing.If you love guitars, you won’t be able to put this book down.A little known trivia from the book: Brian was well into a PhD in Astronomy (now Astrophysics) program before dropping out to pursue a full time music career!!Don’t miss getting a copy.

If you love the music of Queen and the playing of Brian May, you will enjoy this the story of his guitar built for him by his Dad. Also if you build guitars this book should become a standard reference work, it lovingly details all the decisions as to wiring and pickups that allow Brian to get that incredible sound. Leo eat your heart out!

I had no idea I would enjoy reading a book about Brian May's guitar, but I couldn't put it down. The pictures add to the story and I would recommend this book to music lovers, inventors, or people who like a touching story of a father and son building a guitar that went on to be a main-stay in the Rockstar's journey.

Insightful and gorgeously presented, a wonderful look at the beautiful “Old Lady” guitar inside and out. We see her from her very beginnings, as reclaimed wood and cast-off pieces through her decades with Brian and Queen, right through to the roof of Buckingham Palace. A must-have for any fan of Brian May and the guitar that has served him so well for so long.

Like many fans, I have been waiting for this book for some time. I can't think of any other guitarist that is so associated with ONE guitar. As of the time of this review I have not finished the book, but I couldn't wait to talk about it. The detail in the writing is excellent, but it's the pictures that make this a story. The Guitar Gearheads will love the tech info, but the average Queen fan who has seen and heard this guitar for decades will also enjoy this tale because of the presentation. The text and the pictures transport you to the guitars story.

Imaginar o Queen sem Freddie Mercury é imaginar Brian May sem a Red Special - ou seja, não dá para imaginar, muito menos escutar...

Un livre pour les amoureux de musique et de Queen, comment avec de la volonté Brian May et son père ont fait la propre guitare de Brian May avec de la récupération de matériaux et beaucoup d'huile de coude.Pour lecteurs anglophones

Sehr informativ, ein Muss für Gitarrenenthusiasten und Brian May Fans.

El libro es excelente y aporta una documentación exhaustiva del proceso de construcción del instrumento que Brian May construyó junto a su padre. Es una gran historia de relación padre-hijo y del poder del trabajo bien hecho. Me ha gustado mucho.

Eccellente operazione commerciale che, tuttavia, vale assolutamente il prezzo del biglietto. Bellissimo, bella grafica, testo interessante e tante fotografie inedite. La storia che vi si narra ha il pregio dell'unicità. È esemplare e bella. La progettazione e la costruzione della chitarra. Ma non si tratta solo di questo. Povertà e genialità. Amore paterno, pedagogia applicata e cooperazione fattiva. L'educazione e la sobrietà. L'attenzione ai dettagli, la cura estrema. Il desiderio che muove l'inventiva. Il bisogno che la stimola. La modestia. Il successo e l'umiltà.Libro per cultori e appassionati. Ma, per certi versi, farebbe bene a molti altri.