Brian May
Brian May built his guitar (the 'Red Special') from scratch with his father using a fireplace surround, and has played almost exclusively this guitar for over 50 years. His multi-layered orchestral guitar approach — stacking recorded passes in the studio — created the 'Queen Sound' that defined stadium rock.
The Red Special (homemade guitar with hand-built pickups) into Vox AC30 — bright, chiming British tone with three-way switched pickups and mechanical vibrato. May uses old sixpence coins as picks for a harder, brighter attack. The tone is simultaneously orchestral and raw.
Guitars
"Red Special" (Homemade)
1963–presentBuilt by Brian May and his father from a 19th century fireplace surround. Burns vibrato unit. Three single-coil pickups with series/parallel/out-of-phase switching options. The only guitar he has used for virtually his entire career.
Guild Brian May Signature
Accurate replica of the Red Special.
Brian May Guitars BMG Special
His own brand replica — closest affordable replication of Red Special tone.
Amplifiers
Vox AC30 (multiple)
1965–presentWall of AC30s run in a complex switching arrangement. Class A natural compression and chimey British tone.
Vox AC30 Brian May Signature
Modern replica voiced to his specifications.
Effects Pedals
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
1967–1972Essential to the Queen sound — boosts treble and upper mids into the AC30 input.
Foxx Foot Phase
1972–1978Phaser used on tracks like "Brighton Rock" and "One Vision".
Korg A3 Multi-FX
1990sDigital effects unit used later in career.
Pete Cornish Custom Pedalboard
Custom switching and buffering system for his complex live setup.
Key Albums & Tone
"Ogre Battle" and "The March of the Black Queen" — multi-layered guitar orchestra at its most extreme.
"Killer Queen" and "Now I'm Here" — hookiest riffs, tightest production of the early period.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" guitar solo — Red Special through Vox, recorded 3 times and layered.
"We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" — guitar pushed back as songs became anthems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar does Brian May use?
"Red Special" (Homemade) and Guild Brian May Signature. Built by Brian May and his father from a 19th century fireplace surround. Burns vibrato unit. Three single-coil pickups with series/parallel/out-of-phase switching options. The only guitar he has used for virtually his entire career.
What amp does Brian May use?
Vox AC30 (multiple) and Vox AC30 Brian May Signature. Wall of AC30s run in a complex switching arrangement. Class A natural compression and chimey British tone.
What pedals does Brian May use?
Brian May uses Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, Foxx Foot Phase, Korg A3 Multi-FX and more.
What is Brian May's signature sound?
The Red Special (homemade guitar with hand-built pickups) into Vox AC30 — bright, chiming British tone with three-way switched pickups and mechanical vibrato. May uses old sixpence coins as picks for a harder, brighter attack. The tone is simultaneously orchestral and raw.