Brian posted a pic of a Red Special-alike bass made by Andrew Guyton on his soapbox and said we can call it a prototype... I guess it means we can expect it to be released by BM Guitars.
http://www.brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssb.html
Not sure I see the point of a red special bass. Is the point of the red special copy not so guitarists can replicate the BM sound? And obviosly to make money for BM! But given that Brian does not have a unique bass sound as he is not a celebrated bassist then why have a BM bass? Other than from a business perspecive of course! But it does look nice and I'm sure will be a good product, just not sure I see the point of it.
The Red Special look/shape seems to becoming a brand.
Yes, Brian doesn't use a RS bass or have a distinctive bass sound but the said can be same for the acoustic and we've already seen one of them. Yes, acoustic RS guitars will appeal to Brian guitarist fans but surely there are Brian bass playing fans?
I personally think this bass guitar looks really nice, nicer than the acoustic guitars. But whether it would have a mass market appeal to bass players, who knows.
Well, as far as I know, the RS guitars are excellent - but how many famous people have you seen playing one? I've only seen one of Green Day's extra live members playing one. I believe pretty much all RS players are Queen fans. I assume they won't manufacture as many basses as guitars, and there'll be a few Queen fans buying the few basses they make.
I'm interested. I have a Rickenbacker 4003, a Fender Jazz Bass and a Warwick Corvette. The Guyton Bass looks very nice, but the name Guyton scares the crap out of my wallet. I may buy one if BHM Guitars is the manufacturer, but if Andrew is making 'em, then my wallet says NO!
I'm actually personally interested in a bass like that, although I'm not fond of that neck pickup there, and I made my thoughts about that clear in an e-mail I sent to Brian last night regarding that prototype.
For my money I'm actually not interested in owning any Red Special product that doesn't carry over some of the actual phasing capabilities of the real thing.
I mean - I have no idea what the acoustic does - but if there's no phasing involved, then all you're paying for really is the signature on the headstock, and although I do like the actual shape of Brian's guitar, I don't like it enough to justify paying extra money for it when I can find better acoustics out there.
Same goes for the bass guitar. I've already got a bass that I like. I couldn't buy a RS bass unless it actually had some unique quality to the sound; phasing switches, you know!
So here's hoping. I think it'd be a fun toy to play with!
I dunno Brian.... maybe. If that's a 3 way switch and has some phasing capability, then sure.
I'd be more interested in a 12 string, but as I've already e-mailed him about this (and he was gracious enough to answer) I can only wait and see.
I think its a really neat idea...nothing completely revolutionary...but perhaps something that could be compared to Warwick & Gibson basses (SG & Ripper), as well as B.C. Rich basses (which blow). What did the good doctor say about the idea of a 12 string version of the 'old lady.' Now that I read your mention of that, I'm wondering what a double necked RS that's akin to the double necked SG.
I don't have the link on me, it was in early 2008 though on the Letters page. The one in my inbox simply states, "We'll get to it!".
To put myself in Brian's position : a 12 string Red Special would be neat, but I dunno how many of them would sell and honestly I don't know if I'd go to the effort of getting them produced. I know that if it were reasonably priced, I'd get one in a heart beat. I need a 12 string, and I'm not going to be ripped off just because it has "Rickenbacker" on the headstock. Ha-ha.
I must admit, the RS bass looks kinda neat. I've already got an SG looking bass though, as well as a Fender bass... I really don't have room for another.
The bass would have to have active electronics in order for the phase system to work properly. I played an old Dillion BHM style bass and it sucked arse. The sound was way too thin when using the phasing system. This is the reason why the BHM bass has a regular pickup selection. At least that's what I believe.
There's really not that much they need to add to make the electronics active, though. All you need is a little more electronic work and a 9v battery and the bass in now active.
Indeed. The phasing settings have the effect of thinning the sound out, but on lead guitar that equates to some fairly kicking, screaming tones.
I'm not sure how thinning the sound out would be of use on a bass guitar... but then I don't see the use of an RS guitar of any shape, size or sort without the phasing!