"*Thu 30 Dec 04**
BRIAN MAY GUITAR CO
QUEEN LEGEND GETS OWN GUITAR LINE
Burns and Brian May have parted company. Burns launched the Brian May signature - a cost-effective repro of May's fabled Red Special - in 2001 and the success of that guitar has brought about a new venture led by Brian, House Music's MD Barry Moorhouse and Brian's tech Pete Malandrone. The previously Burns-branded Brian May signature will remain the same, except it'll now have a signature Brian May logo on the headstock instead of Burns.
The aim of the new company is to expand on the success of Brian May's guitar by "producing variants of that particular guitar in addition to a complete range of Brian May instruments, accessories and associated products," explains Moorhouse. "The concept is that the expanded range should eventually establish the design as a competitor to any classic guitar design, a guitar in its own right for musicians to play styles not necessarily associated with the classic Queen sound."
We can look forward to the Mini May - a travel-sized version of the guitar - and an electro-acoustic shaped like May's Red Special is under development in association with acoustic-maker Lakewood.
Moorhouse also mused that we'll see Brian May effects in the not too distant future.
Contact: House Music 0207 481 3350
Guitarist Magazine
Nov 2004"
Sooooo... the same "budget" Burns model will remain? Good idea and also good that there should be some new things coming the guitarist's way from Brian. Any ideas for what they could be? I'm guessing it could have something to do with the products that he and Fryer had a hand in over the last few years.
Anyway, sounds good and it will be interesting to see what variations on the original red special will be made. Again, any ideas for improving or adding little bells and whistles?
Peace,
Adam.
Very interesting info. While seeing all those replica models from different companies announced in magazines and stuff, I always thought that if Brian wanted them to sound exactly as he wanted he would have to have his own line. And it is true, nothing but "do it yourself". The Burns things were very good (though I never had one, but I did hear samples), but if this one's going to be better, great
I think the new one looks exactly the same as the Burns, just without the Burns logo (I think there already in the QueenOnline shop) Burns have stopped production of their copy now, and Brian's company has took the line over. Will be interesting to see if they make any changes to the guitar... Will be nice also to see the new products like the electro-acoustic models and maybe the fx pedals! It'll probably be something similar to the Fryer, yeah, but maybe a bit cheaper...
Let's get this straight - the standard model IS a Burns. But it's no longer made by Burns or under their name. It's the same design that'll be sold.
Peace,
Adam.
Adam Baboolal wrote: Let's get this straight - the standard model IS a Burns. But it's no longer made by Burns or under their name. It's the same design that'll be sold.
Peace,
Adam.
So, in a way, Brians company have bought the rights tot produce the Burns model?
Thats right yeah... For now. Then they'll introduce new products as outlined.
Burns were said to be making a deluxe model which was more expensive and more accurate, but that probably won't happen now. Maybe it will see the light through Brian's company?...
Who knows, but there could be some exciting products in the pipeline. But for now, worry not those who could not get their hands on a Burns...