| Togg 07.10.2015 04:00 |
I've just taken delivery of a New Green (Red) Special crafted by Mickael Dansan, Built to the same specs at the original, blockboard and oak body, mahogany neck, the pickups in this were hand build by Mickael from the leftover parts sent to him from Greg Fryer when building John, Paul and George. |
| Togg 07.10.2015 04:01 |
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| Togg 07.10.2015 04:01 |
Further shots |
| Togg 07.10.2015 04:02 |
One more |
| Togg 07.10.2015 04:03 |
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| Togg 07.10.2015 04:03 |
Final shot |
| bucsateflon 07.10.2015 05:32 |
If money was no problem I would have one too, because it looks splendid. |
| master marathon runner 07.10.2015 05:34 |
Fantastic Togg, I can just picture you playing 'Procession '. |
| Mr.QueenFan 07.10.2015 05:59 |
That's a very beautiful guitar. I hope you make good use of her. Togg, if i want to buy an exact replica of the "Red Special", do i need to order a super Red Special? I'm asking because i'm thinking buying one next year, but i need to make sure that it has the exact same neck measurements as Brian's original. I need one, simply because i have big hands and it's impossible for me to play my cheap squier. It's very unconfortable to play songs like WWRY or " A kind of Magic" because i simply don't have enough space for my fingers to freely make chords in that section of the fretboard (12th fret and beyond). I know that the replicas they sell at Brian May guitars are "smaller" to adapt to the general public measurements, and i understand that it's a big jump from people who are used to play "normal guitars". But i remember one picture taken from behind of Brian holding his Red Special at Knebworth Park (if i'm correct) and i was in awe. It was like he was holding a thick piece of wood. An electric guitar with an acoustic guitar neck. Exactely what i need! And i believe that those measurements play a big part in Brian's phrasing as well. I need to start saving money for one of this babies. |
| matt z 07.10.2015 06:07 |
Am I to understand that the guitar is larger than ordinary guitars in the neck? My brother bought me Brian's book on his red special, yet I haven't touched it but to look at the signature. I feel wholly ignorant now but I just can't bring myself to pick it up at the moment. Btw: incredibly beautiful instrument. No matter the manifestation, It seems to be luridly appealing. .... maybe I'm just a fan |
| Togg 07.10.2015 06:54 |
The real Red Special does have a much larger neck than any other electric that I've ever seen, it is indeed close to acoustic sizes so make sure your happy with that before you buy it can take a while to get used to however I personally prefer it, I find it much easier to play. The Super has the correct neck size and is accurate in terms of body size etc, there are cosmetic differences in this lates version of the Super that might or might not be an issue depending on how much you want it to be exact Examples are The Super is a mahogany body guitar hollowed out, The Dansan pictured here is blockboard with an Oak insert and Mahogany veneer, The Super doesnt have a neck finished in the same way it's matt ebony (at least mine is) The Bridge as you can see is very different on the Super is a stock Wilkinson bridge, actually it is more useful in that you can get the guitar more intune (intonation) with it than Brian's original will allow Other small issues are the switches are new versions not the older style so they are fractionally bigger The Neck on the Super is glued on, the Dansan is bolted The buttons and tuners are acurate on the Dansan the Super is different. All in all the Super is a terrific guitar and I'd say if you want a Brian endorsed guitar you can't get better, there are other none endorsed builders out there such as Mickael Dansan in France or CQ in Italy or Mr Everett in the US who all do good quality copies in many ways more acurate than the Super. The Super is probably the best built guitar I've ever owned, it beats Les Pauls and Strats hands down Dansan is a one man band, his guitars are homemade, but pretty well 100% acurate, they are pretty much the same price as the Super. Tone wise there is little between them, very minor differences, but it will all depend on what amps you use and what treble boosters |
| Mr.QueenFan 07.10.2015 12:30 |
Thanks a lot for the reply Togg.
Togg wrote: The real Red Special does have a much larger neck than any other electric that I've ever seen, it is indeed close to acoustic sizes so make sure your happy with that before you buy it can take a while to get used to however I personally prefer it, I find it much easier to play. The Super has the correct neck size and is accurate in terms of body size etc, there are cosmetic differences in this lates version of the Super that might or might not be an issue depending on how much you want it to be exact .It's exactely what i want and need. The only reason i'm considering Brian's guitar is the neck - of course it's a beautiful instrument, and it's part of my musical DNA - but that neck is what really sells it for me. I've spent the last year playing on an acoustic guitar, and when i tried to switch back to an electric, i just couldn't feel it. I need to have my hand full. Electric guitars feel like a kids guitar in my hands. With Brian's guitar i know it will feel fantastic in my hands. Togg wrote: All in all the Super is a terrific guitar and I'd say if you want a Brian endorsed guitar you can't get better, there are other none endorsed builders out there such as Mickael Dansan in France or CQ in Italy or Mr Everett in the US who all do good quality copies in many ways more acurate than the Super. The Super is probably the best built guitar I've ever owned, it beats Les Pauls and Strats hands down Dansan is a one man band, his guitars are homemade, but pretty well 100% acurate, they are pretty much the same price as the Super. Tone wise there is little between them, very minor differences, but it will all depend on what amps you use and what treble boostersI didn't know that other builders could build Brian's guitars without Brian's endorsement, because i assumed they didn't have the right measurements - not only for the neck, but inside of the guitar as well for the acoustics and feedback. But in this case, if these luthiers were associated with Brian in the past, they have the right charts, and probably Brian's blessing to build those guitars. You post was very useful, and i will consider all alternatives before i purchase this guitar. It is a beauty! Is this the right Red Secial forum to ask questions? link If so, i will register there to ask other questions that can arise in the future. Thanks again Togg. |
| Togg 08.10.2015 02:51 |
Yes, all the info you need with be there. The is a lot of well documented information online so the 'other' builders have now managed to create perfect replicas, the only reason BMG dont do it is cost, the factory line is supposedly too complicated to create a perfect replica without pushing the cost past the £4k mark. Also Greg Fryer and Andrew Guyton are both willing to share information and these guys both built exact replicas from the original, so in the case of the Guytons that were endorsed £6k+ versions once people bought them they measured and copied every detail. Andrew built 40 red guitars and 10 Green signed by Brian, they have all been sold now and he will not build any more. The two closest copies now are Dansan and CQ, the US guitar made by Mr Everett was designed from the measurements of the John Birch guitar Brian had made in the 80's, that guitar was not accurate to the original, Everett's guitars are very good, expensive, but do seem to vary in accuracy somewhat, the pickguard for example seems to vary a lot in shape from what I've seen. Brian is NOT happy others build his guitar without his permission, he talked one builder (RS Guitars in the US) out of doing it, To be honest the only reason these guys get sales is because they build a closer copy than the 'official' if BMG produced a closer copy at that price in the right colour and correct bridge, the other builders wouldn't have a market... So if you buy a Super, Dansan or CQ, your guitar will be an accurate copy in terms of size on the neck, and yes it's big, but not so big to make it difficult to use, you will probably prefer it, I do, I find it easier to play than any other electric http://shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/ http://www.dansanguitars.com/ http://www.cquadroguitarworks.com/ Sadly this builder says he is coming to the end of building RS guitars but if your quick he will still do one. www.guytonguitars.com http://rscustomguitars.com/ link |
| Mr.QueenFan 08.10.2015 12:42 |
Thank you for the reply Togg. You really know your stuff about Brian May guitars. I need to read Brian's book about it. Yo make some very good points, and i understand why the purists would choose the Dansan replica over the super Red Special. Now that i'm taking a closer look it's interesting that the SRS of BMG isn't the more accurate one, because if i'm correct they make very small batches each time -i think it's 10 (?). So, i don't understand some minor differences they have . I remember the Brian May burn's guitar when they didn't include the half black moon behind the bridge. It made all the difference, and it didn't make sense for them not to include it. At least luthiers around the world were happy to oblige, but at that time i didn't think it was an "honest" decision (so to speak). If i take a look at Greg Fryer website: link This picture is very beautiful, and i wouldn't mind receiving this version at my door. But, when i take a look at BMG (third guitar from the top): link It's almost a different guitar. It just doesn't speak to me. But the one you have in your home next to your green RS is very beautiful, and i can see that you've made some adjustements (tremolo bar, not sure about the volume knobs). And i never thought the BMG special looked so different from the original. If i'm going to use the original as reference: link then i would say that right now i would be more inclined for the Dansan model. I've checked some YT videos, and it's fantastic! It looks great and the sound is spot on. Of course, if i had the money and Guyton was still manufacturing it, that would be a no brainer, because if i remember correctly he worked closely with Brian on some replicas. I guess it's time for me to start saving. Thanks againg for your replies Togg. It was very helpfull! |
| Fireplace 08.10.2015 14:56 |
Congrats, it's a beauty. May it serve you welll. |
| Fat Bottomed Queen 09.10.2015 03:09 |
I've never heard of this Red "Super" Special. Interesting. Coating looks lovely by the way. |
| OwenSmith 04.11.2015 12:14 |
Thanks for posting those pictures Togg. I'd never heard of Dansan before but it looks like a really lovely guitar. I hope you get much pleasure from playing it. I'm not a guitarist, I play tuba. But if I were buying a replica of anything I'd want an accurate one, and the Brian May Guitars versions have always fallen well short of the mark from my point of view. And with the Guytons all sold out, the Dansan is probably the next best thing. |