BMG Special - Art Series - Frank

UK Price  $1,255.29 Inc. 20% VAT
WORLDWIDE PRICE $1,046.08
(15 Reviews)
In Stock
Product Details

Marking the launch of our brand new BMG Art Series range, this exclusive, limited edition guitar celebrates Queen's 1977 masterpiece, "News Of The World" with a stunning original image of Frank, the child-like robot with murderous tendencies from the classic album's cover, his piercing, blood-red eyes staring ominously from an all-black, Special style instrument, with matching black hardware.

NOTW's famed artwork, painted by American artist Frank Kelly Freas, was a reimagining of his cover for the October 1953 issue of pulp sci-fi magazine Astounding Science Fiction, a favourite of (Queen dummer) Roger Taylor's. Used to illustrate the short story “The Gulf Between" by Tom Godwin, the original work depicted a giant robot, a man’s lifeless body help limply in one hand, its finger dripping with blood and eyes pleading "Please... fix it, Daddy?”.

At the band’s request, Freas agreed to alter the design, replacing the fatally wounded figure with the apparently dead likenesses of all four band members; Brian May and Freddie Mercury lying in the automaton’s monstrous metal hand, with John Deacon and Roger Taylor falling to earth. The visionary illustrator was also commissioned to create a new work for the album’s inner gatefold with the cooly emotionless robot extending its hand through the shattered roof of a vast auditorium to grasp at a panicked, fleeing crowd.

A classical music fan, Freas admitted to not knowing of Queen in advance, and avoided their music until after the cover was completed "because I thought I might just hate them, and it would ruin my ideas”. Thankfully, upon listening to the album after submitting his contribution to what would eventually become part of rock history, the artist approved of what he heard.

Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, "News Of The World" was certified double platinum in the UK and 4 x platinum in the United States, going on to become the band’s best-selling long player to date, with over 10 million copies sold worldwide. Christened in honour of his creator, Frank has assumed iconic status in his own right and was finally brought spectacularly to life for Queen + Adam Lambert's 2017 + 2018 concert performances, both as an animated visual and an animatronic character.

The striking design of the Frank Special - taken from a rendering of the 3D model created by Mark Hough for the Q+AL stage show and originally used for the 2017 Record Store Day 12" vinyl re-release of "We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You" - was created by the Brian May Guitars art department exclusively for this project.

This is the same instrument played by Dr. Brian May himself during Queen's "Crown Jewels" residency at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in September 2018 for his "Killer Queen" solo - with the "real" Frank looking on with what we sincerely hope is approval!

Specifications
Body Acoustic chambered mahogany with mahogany top
FINISH Gloss polyurethane
Binding 6-ply pinstripe, front and back
Neck 1-piece mahogany
NECK JOIN Set neck construction
Truss Rod Dual action / 440mm
Fingerboard Coromandel ebony
Frets 24 x medium jumbo 18% nickel/silver vintage size frets + zero fret
Fret Wire Crown Height: 0.914mm (0.036") / Crown Width: 2.7mm (0.106") / Radius: 230mm (9.0")
Inlays BM pattern white front + side dots (Φ 6mm / Φ 1.5mm)
StriNG GUIDE PPS (45mm x 6mm)
Pickups 3 x BM brand custom Tri-Sonic style series wired single coil pickups
Switches White slider switches – 3 x pickup on/off / 3 x pickup phase in/out
Controls Master volume / Master Tone (A500K / B500K) with BM replica aluminium control knobs
Bridge Wilkinson WVP 2-point, knife edge tremolo (36mm block) with brass saddles
Tremolo Arm Custom BMG arm with plastic tip
Machineheads 3-a-side chrome thumbwheel locking tuners with 18:1 gear ratio
Pickguards Plastic main control plate and half-moon tail plate with matching truss rod cover, black tremolo cavity cover
Overall Length 98.8cm (38.9")
Body Length 40.63cm (16")
Body Width 35.67cm (14")
Body Depth 40mm (1.57")
WEIGHT Approx. 3.2kg (7lb)
Scale 610mm (24")
FINGERBOARD RADIUS 250mm (9.8")
Neck Width at Nut 45mm (1.77")
Neck Width at 12th Fret 53mm (2.09")
Neck Width at 24th Fret 57mm (2.24")
Neck Depth at 1st Fret 22mm (0.87")
Neck Depth at 12th Fret 24mm (0.94")
String Spacing at Nut 36mm (1.42")
String Spacing at 12th Fret 45mm (1.77")
String Spacing at Bridge 54mm (2.13")
Strings D'Addario EXL120 Nickel Wound Super Light – Plain Steel .009 - .011 - .016 / Wound .024 - .032 - .042
INCLUDED GIG BAG Premium quality BMG gig bag with twin shoulder straps, side/front grab handles, dual zipped front pockets and stitched logo
Country Of Origin World Musical Instruments Co. Ltd., South Korea
Customer Reviews
Write a Review and share your opinions!
15 Reviews:

Impressed
Rating:
06 November 2023  | 

I was pleased when I opened up the box immediately, the quality of it is spot on. I am used to American Gibsons. I have two custom shop guitars and this Korean model guitar really has me impressed... it sounds great. My guitar tech is really impressed with it, too. He could not wait to get his hands on it. I will enjoy Frank the monster guitar. Quite a conversation I say... good job, BMG.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Awesome guitar
Rating:
20 October 2023  | 

Awesome guitar, I had the honour to have it signed by Sir Brian May, so happy.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Absolutely fabulous!
Rating:
05 April 2023  | 

Absolutely irresistible!

No other modern or classic rock guitar is able to deliver the sound of the Burns pickups and approach the sound of Sir Brian May. The finishes are serious and original with the Frank The Robot representative.

The import fees on the France are quite expensive but, on the other hand, this model is well worth it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Amazing
Rating:
05 August 2022  | 

Amazing looking guitar. Sounds awesome and an excellent feel and weight when holding and playing. The artwork on it is amazing and the main reason got the purchase and couldn't wait to get it.

I think it will be more of a display piece but will, and must, be played occasionally also. Slightly annoying is the scratch plate plastic seal is still on the guitar and you have to carefully loosen the screws and knobs in order to get it all off in one piece or you will have tiny pieces still stuck to the guitar. Otherwise, perfect, thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Response:

With apologies for the inconvenience, the film covering pickguards, plates, and pickups provides essential protection during assembly, set-up and shipping and ensures that all our our instruments arrive in absolutely pristine condition.


Superspeed service!!!
Rating:
05 January 2021  | 

Got "Frank" already today. Ordered 2nd January - 3 days later here... Just amazing superspeed service!!!

Thank you guys very much for that. Just happy to hold it in my hands... Now we'll make some noise!!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Very nice
Rating:
14 August 2020  | 

Looks great - sounds great

 
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Stop looking... and purchase one!
Rating:
20 July 2020  | 

After looking for weeks, I decided to order "Frank". The ordering process was quick and easy-plus the guitar arrived sooner than expected. Decades ago, I purchased one of the last US made Red Specials and enjoyed it-but never really bonded with the guitar. I have also played a few BMG models and liked them, but never compelled enough to purchase. After some time with my BMG Frank-I can honestly say...WOW! The guitar is simply excellent! I had some trouble removing the protective film from the pickups, but aside from that minor inconvenience-could not be happier. The attention to detail, playability and sound are beyond most instruments in this price range. And of course, it simply nails "the sound".

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Nice guitar, nice shop
Rating:
01 June 2020  | 

Only five days to receive this guitar (to France during Covid crisis). Tried on a Vox AC30 (in studio), what a sound. Recommended.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Love It
Rating:
31 January 2020  | 

So happy, absolutely wonderful guitar, cool picture. can really recommend this guitar to everyone who loves Queen.
(Helt underbar gitarr, så häftig bild. Kan verkligen rekommendera denna till alla Som älskar Queen)

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Perfect Service!
Rating:
26 December 2019  | 

Thank God it's Frank-Mas! Here’s Franky - I got the best Christmas present ever.

Wow! What can I say? I speechless - I´m over the moon with my signed Frank guitar. A true treasure and the highlight of my huge Queen and News Of The World collection.

A big thanks again to the entire BMG team and of course to the one and only Dr. Brian May!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Amazing guitar at ANY price
Rating:
09 September 2019  | 

Used it in a recording the day it arrived. (Also used the new official Brian May setting in the Amplitude guitar amp simulator software BTW) - sounded amazing straight away.

Super happy with the purchase and can't wait to use it again.

Listen to a clip HERE.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Very good guitar !
Rating:
06 August 2019  | 

Hope I get the BMG SUPER as soon as possible. I`m on the waiting List since 11.8.2018.

Greetings from AUSTRIA, Günter

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

A real work of art
Rating:
06 August 2019  | 

Over the years I keep buying BMG specials, selling them, then regretting it. Started with the Burns version in fact.

Clearly they are working hard on the quality; each one I have had is incrementally better than the last. This one is near perfect in finish, beautifully made in fact. Trademark tone is there, very playable and not just a "one trick pony" either; very versatile.

I only scored it as 4 because it came with a slight rattle on the lower strings. The response when I reported this was a bit slow, in fact I never got an answer so eventually I just loosened the truss rod and the problem was solved.

"Frank" is going to be a keeper this time!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Magnificent guitar
Rating:
09 July 2019  | 

Superb, the best, delivered in a couple of days, sounds awesome!!

I can’t say enough about the quality of the build. The Frank picture kicks.

This is my dream guitar!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

Stunning
Rating:
18 June 2019  | 

I was lucky enough to be one of the first recipients of this beautiful guitar and the very first customer to play one on stage with my Queen tribute band, ‘Forever Queen’, at the Isle of Wight Festival. BMG kindly let me buy mine ahead of its official release due to me being a featured artist.

The finish on this guitar is stunning. The perception of 3D and depth in Frank's face is superb and his eyes follow you around the room! I love the black hardware on the guitar and colour all over is perfect. It came perfectly set up out of the box, and was ready to hit the stage with instantly.

Here’s a taste of how it sounds :

6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this helpful to you?  Yes  /  No

OTHER PRODUCTS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN