Why no Red Special "alike" Guitars

Axe_meister

Odd given the popularity of Queen we don't see any other guitars with a similar wood choice and construction method, trisonic pickups and switching system.

Jack_

Because it's ugly as f***.

CHRISB50

Jack_ said:

Because it's ugly as f***.

You beat me to it! Wis'd.

ICBM

There have been several companies who have copied it, with varying degrees of accuracy and commercial success. He’s got his own signature range now...

http://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/

ToneControl

I think I remember that most of the replicas avoided replicating the very high action
(is my memory correct? I'm sure I read that the original has a very high action)

ToneControl

https://www.wunjoguitars.com/product/special-electric-guitar-antique-cherry/
£650 in current range

mudslide73

The thing that stops me buying a JS/Evh/Jem etc. stops me from wanting a Brian sig. I'd get blokes down the Dog & Duck asking for Queen songs which we won't ever do. I have enough grief as it is. 

Sporky

Also the switching system has an awful lot of redundant settings, and probably too many options for most uses. 

ToneControl

Sporky said:

Also the switching system has an awful lot of redundant settings, and probably too many options for most uses. 

I had a strat that I wired up with 5 switches, 3 to be able to switch each on/off/opposite phase, and 2 more to move them to series/parallel combinations. 
Now I'd rather just have the "best" sounds to hand, and use pedal EQ, or active EQ on the guitar

Jack_

Some luthier I follow on Instagram was making a really high end replica, can't remember which though, have a feeling it was Carpetienne or something like that.

richardhomer

The trouble with a guitar which is ‘that’ distinctive is - regardless of merit - you’ll always be seen as a Brian May copiest. Which is great - but only if you play in a Queen tribute band.

And yes - it is ugly a f**k....

Garthy

I love the way it looks, I just don’t like most of the sounds from it. I couldn’t own one for the same reason most have given, but a LPJ double cut style with 24 frets and the same acoustic chambers may be interesting. 

I really do do admire the thought that went into it though.

Modulus_Amps

I quite like the shape, but can't help thinking if I got one I would replace the pickguard, ditch the switches and pickups and just have two humbuckers and maybe some push pull functionality.

axisus

I think that the OP is referring to similar attributes rather than a copy of the guitar.

In terms of a Red special, I wouldn't want one unless I was in a Queen tribute band. I quite liked the look of those ones that came out in different colours a few years ago.

stickyfiddle

The Brian May-brand ones are great little guitars, but actually quite idiosyncratic to use, particularly since the pickups are in series, not parallel. 

JayGee

Given that production of the “official” replica is now in the name of The Man Himself I wonder how much of the design is under trademark/patent/copyright/whatever and how aggressively the IP is being protected. That might account for the absence of any obvious production “inspired by” or unofficial versions...

roberty

Could you get quite close with three trisonic pickups and some clever s/p switching?  Maybe in a loaded strat pickguard, wood choice and construction aside. "Inspired by"

Rebar

With regard to the OP, I think the main reason we don't see more guitars based on the Red Special is because of the labour required in making them. The trem is more complex than, say, a Fender Strat and the blockboard body requires more work than a solid piece of timber. People like Dansan and Carpenteri make fantastic replicas, but with equally fantastic prices. For something which has a sound SO recognisable, it's probably off-putting to players who want more variety. Therefore, with cost and tonal range - together with a switching system which is an acquired taste - it has limited commercial appeal, in my opinion. 

roberty

In this video Brian May talks about using middle and bridge in series for 80% of the time, and occasionally some out of phase sounds. The switching could in theory be whittled down to something more practical

EricTheWeary

The obvious company to have exploited the link presumably were Burns. I guess at any of the peaks of fame of Queen they were no longer  a functioning company. 

Phil_aka_Pip

I'd have one, but like everyone else am wary of people expecting me to play like Brian May (if only I could!)