Brian May

Guitar & Bass Magazine's Vox AC30 Special

Whilst the torrid tale of the "Old Lady" has been well and truly told in Carton Books' superb 2014 book BRIAN MAY'S RED SPECIAL, the August 2016 edition of GUITAR & BASS sees that lavish volume's co-author Simon Bradley dishing the dirt on Brian May's long standing love affair with the AC30 and - with the help of his veteran tech Pete Malandrone - taking a in-depth look at Brian's awesome Vox driven backline.

Needless to say, this is absolutely essential reading for anyone with an interest in the history of this classic amp and in Brian May's remarkable on-stage tone.

RED THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

BMG Summer Special

Buy a BMG SPECIAL this month and receive this limited edition Brian May collector's item absolutely FREE OF CHARGE...

An official Brian May gold sixpence, produced in 2014 by the British Pobjoy Mint to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Red Special.

This exclusive coin is strictly limited to just 100 pieces and comes complete in a presentation case.

NB: This coin will not be available for sale separately

BMG Queen 2016 Tour Exclusive

As you will no doubt all be aware, Brian May is currently rocking festival stages across the continent on the 2016 Queen + Adam Lambert Summer Festival tour - and we're very pleased to see the BMG Rhapsody making its debut live appearance on the rock 'n' rolling classic "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"...

To celebrate, Brian May Guitars and the good Doctor have teamed up to offer European gig goers a unique opportunity to get their their hands on some very special, exclusive BMG collector's items.

Anybody with a ticket stub or valid purchase receipt for any of the Queen dates this year - including their appearances at Lisbon's Rock In Rio and the UK's prestigious Isle of Wight Festival - is eligible to register NOW for the opportunity to BUY AN EXCLUSIVE BMG GUITAR - HAND SIGNED BY DR. MAY HIMSELF!!!

Choose from either the BMG RHAPSODY electro-acoustic or the BMG MINI MAY travel guitar - or treat yourself to both!

This promotion is now closed

Guitar Interactive BMG Review Special

Issue 40 of Guitar Interactive sees master guitarist and We Will Rock You veteran, Jamie Humphries take control of the always excellent free online magazine for a massive tribute to Brian May.

"Choosing a Brian May Special or, even better, a Super, will set you apart from the crowd... you will get a fabulous guitar in either case and one that will go places other guitars simply cannot venture into"

Alongside brand new interviews with Brian and his long serving tech Pete Malandrone (available exclusively in the magazine's online edition), Jamie presents a trio of extensive video reviews of the BMG Super, the BMG Special and the electro acoustic BMG Rhapsody.

The bumper edition also includes appraisals of Nigel Knight's Deacy amp replica, the Vox Custom AC30C2 and the full range of Greg Fryer/Knight Audio and KAT treble boosters.

BM aficionados should head to the GI website to check out Jamie's web-exclusive "Tone On A Budget" video in which the BMG Special is just one element in an eminently affordable hardware solution to the age-old conundrum of how to get the Brian May sound without blowing the bank.

READ MORE HERE.

BMG One Voice Signed Mini May Exclusive

As we reported last week, the new and improved BMG Mini May travel guitar, described as a "sensation" by Brian himself, has been a big hit on the Italian leg of the "One Voice" tour with initial quantities selling out almost immediately. An urgent delivery to replenish stocks for the remaining Eastern European dates has also now completely sold out!

Whilst we are obviously overjoyed that this diminutive instrument has proved to be such a big seller, the unprecedented demand means we will be unable to supply any more Mini Mays until May/June 2016.

Needless to say, we have already received numerous requests from disappointed fans and we are determined to give EVERYONE who supported Kerry and Brian a chance to get their own autographed tour souvenir.

So the good news is that Brian May Guitars is offering ticket holders the opportunity to register now to purchase their very own exclusive Mini May, signed by Dr. May.

Simply complete the online form HERE, submitting a scan or a photograph of your "One Voice" tour ticket stub/receipt and, as soon as the next shipment is available for despatch, we will contact you with full details of how to complete your purchase.

This promotion is now closed

Mini Mays On Tour with Brian May & Kerry Ellis

Brian May and Kerry Ellis during the Italian leg of their intimate "One Voice" tour, where the brand new BMG Mini May proved to be a big hit on the merchandise stand... so much so, in fact, that stocks of the guitar completely sold out within the first few dates!

Brian May & Avante Guitars

Keen eyed visitors to Brian May's official website may have noticed him pictured with a very unusual new acoustic instrument.

The guitar in question is the Avante Gryphon, designed by veteran American luthier Joe Veillette. A striking, travel sized, electro-acoustic 12-string, the Gryphon plays just like a regular guitar but is tuned to high D (equivalent to the 10th fret of a standard guitar) and delivers a lush, colourful, mandolin-like sound with a shimmering, naturally chorused top end character.

Describing the instrument as "a joy in itself", Brian has been using the Gryphon in the studio for a new project with Kerry Ellis.

May Blitz 2015

The name says it all… For the month of May, House Music and Brian May Guitars presents a amazing selection of great deals on exclusive BM guitars, signed instruments, ex-display models & super-rare prototypes available ONLY from the Brian May Guitars website.

This amazing collection includes this one-off Limited Edition Album Series BM Special featuring the artwork from the classic 1975 Queen LP "A Night At The Opera" (click the thumbnail image for a close-up).

All items will be available strictly while stocks last.

The lineup will be updated throughout the month… so keep an eye on the site over the coming weeks for some more unmissable BMG deals.

All May Blitz exclusive instruments are now SOLD

A Special Night In Seoul

When the mighty Queen & Adam Lambert tour rolled into Seoul, it was a perfect opportunity for Brian to meet up with our South Korean colleagues from the amazing World Music factory, responsible for the Brian May Guitars Special - as well the Bass Centre's superb Bass Collection range.

Randy Bachman

Winnipeg's finest rock 'n' rollin' son, Randy Bachman - of Bachman-Turner Overdrive fame - was guest of honour backstage when the globe-trotting Queen & Adam Lambert mega tour rolled into the Manitoba capital and was duly presented with a signed Black 'n' Gold Special by Brian.

Best known for the evergreen BTO anthem "You AIn't Seen Nothing Yet" and The Guess Who's blistering "American Woman", Randy is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to a hotly anticipated new album project that promises a returning to the 70 year old guitarist's raw, powerhouse, blues-rock roots.

Slated for a Summer 2015 release, the appropriately titled "Heavy Blues" will feature an all-star cast including Neil Young, Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton, Robert Randolph, Scott Holiday, Luke Doucet and the late Jeff Healey.

Signed BMG Special for StarCards Charity Auction

StarCards — a fantastic, non-profit organisation that raises funds through a unique collection of celebrity signed playing cards, photographs, art and memorabilia — launches their 10th Anniversary Christmas Auction today.

Amongst a suitably stellar selection of signed items from sporting stars, contemporary artists and legends of the entertainment world, BMG and Brian May have donated a signed Special to the 10-day auction which kicks off at a special party at London's iconic BT Tower this evening, featuring musical guests, Phil Hilborne, Julian Littman and the rocking harmonies of Woman, featuring Mazz Murray, Gina Murray and Emma Kershaw.

All proceeds of the auction will go to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, which this year celebrates its 160th anniversary.

Here is StarCard supporter, Phil Hilborne promoting the auction and demonstrating the signed BMG Special...

The BMG Super Rocks The Cosmos

Here's a shot of Brian May together with guitarist Jamie Moses playing the heck out of the new BMG Super at the Nottingham leg of the current, sold-out Queen & Paul Rodgers COSMIC ROCKS World Tour.

The tour, which kicked off with a performance in Kharkov's Freedom Square, Ukraine, in front of an astonishing 350,000 people, comes hot on the heels of the first studio album of new material from the remaining Queen duo of Brian and Roger Taylor since 1995′s "Made in Heaven" - and a full 17 years since Freddie Mercury's death.

The Super is Jamie's main stage instrument on this globe trotting journey which runs through to November, climaxing with a string of South American arena shows.

Photo Credit: Steve Braithwaite

The BMG Super... On Sale & On Tour

Production models of the BMG Super are now shipping.

After receiving the first ten prototypes earlier in the year, all of which were immediately snapped up, we have subsequently received the first ten production guitars - again all sold out!

With development overseen by master-luthier Greg Fryer and his team, we are totally blown away by the end result and the instrument is garnering some serious acclaim - check out the review in Guitarist magazine in the near future . 

Deposits are now being taken on serial numbers 011 to 020, which will be available at the beginning of October.

In the meantime, don't miss out on seeing the current Queen/Paul Rodgers tour, where both Brian May and axeman, Jamie Moses will be using the Super to full effect.

Another Town, Another Guy, Another Guitar...

Brian May shares his love for Moscow, guitarist Jamie Moses and his BMG "Face" Guitar

Thanks, folks, for sending me such great pics of us in Moscow... This is my favourite so far (by Marina Neumoina) - me and my mate Jamie Moses in a tender moment! Ha ha!

This was the first time I used my new treasure, a BM guitar straight off the production line, but customised by Barry and Pete as a birthday present to me.

It has a great feel and sound, just naturally but - for those who enjoy this kind of stuff - we have now customised it further by wiring the pickups in parallel instead of series, so the instrument now responds in a way more reminiscent of the tone of, say - a Stratocaster - but still with the BM warmth (and still with the BM combination switching, so it is unique). I love it... for "C-lebrity" and "Crazy Little Thing", it gives me a whole new set of colours to play with. 

Thanks! And thanks, good people of Moscow - for a wonderful 2-night stand. Never to be forgotten. 

cheers

Bri

BMG At The London Guitar Show

The complete BMG canon of instruments was on display at the year's biggest MI shindig - the London Guitar Show at the ExCel Exhibition Centre (June 12th - 15th)..

Alongside the full line-up of BMG Special's in a variety of standard and Limited Edition finishes, the House Music stand showcased a stack of new, established and upcoming products, including the superb, premium quality Super, the pint-sized Mini-May and the first prototypes of a Brian May designed electro-acoustic guitar.

The assembled players, fans and industry movers and shakers were also treated to an amazing opportunity to view some very exclusive custom instruments, including the FACE - a 60th birthday present to Brian May from Barry Moorhouse, who commissioned British artist Paul Karslake (brother of Jo Wood, Rolling Stone Ronnie's former wife) to create the beautifully cosmic finish.