| jchensf 25.01.2006 04:18 |
link I didn't list this one, but if you want to see what the new Brian May Mini May looks like... here it is! We expect to see them in the US in 2-3 weeks. Call if you want to reserve one. -- Jim |
| -luke_taylor- 28432 25.01.2006 10:26 |
It looks if theres a couple of things missing of it, how big is the guitar because its titled mini may, and its quite dear |
| drwinston 25.01.2006 13:12 |
Brian authorized that thing? You've got to be kidding me... |
| DavidRFuller 25.01.2006 13:58 |
link |
| Rick 25.01.2006 14:26 |
Sheer Pressure wrote: linkSo many people are using such bassguitars. Ah well, a famous name sells better... |
| Thanks 25.01.2006 14:32 |
Of course it's got bits missing!!! It's a travel version....it'll be about half the height of the full size one, and will probably be tuned a fifth higher. The prototype was at the convention, & Brian mentioned it previously on his site, so yes, it's official. Quick opinion - body shape looks slightly too fat, as does the headstock, but I think that's to be expected in the circumstances. It would be nice if it could be proportional and still functional. The pickup looks wrong too, but maybe that's the light. Aside from that, looks good (and £120 for an electric guitar isn't bad - Fender's equivalent is £100 I think, and this is a very low-volume product). |
| -luke_taylor- 28432 25.01.2006 15:38 |
drwinston wrote: Brian authorized that thing? You've got to be kidding me...I agree, brians getting a right money grabber, whats a matter, cant he afford the up keep on his mansion, so what does he do, bring something out like that, why dont he just retire, |
| nibznik 25.01.2006 15:47 |
uh, actually i think brian's ok for doing this because it gives people who want a brian may guitar, but dont wanna spend upwards of 500, a chance. I personally would buy it, but i just got my squier strat which is nice, and then ill probably buy a ibanez hollow body in august. BTW, its actually a little hefty on the wallet over here, 134 pounds is something like upwards of 300 CDN over here, which is about 100 dollars more than my Strat. Cheers. |
| Thanks 25.01.2006 17:21 |
-Luke_Taylor- wrote:I doubt there's much profit in these. Plus I think the idea came from a question TO Brian's Soapbox.drwinston wrote: Brian authorized that thing? You've got to be kidding me...I agree, brians getting a right money grabber, whats a matter, cant he afford the up keep on his mansion, so what does he do, bring something out like that, why dont he just retire, |
| -luke_taylor- 28432 25.01.2006 18:32 |
What about the money for the touring with paul rodgers, and the money for a night at the opera aniversarry edition, just wondered why he cant retire aswell |
| Wiley 25.01.2006 20:56 |
Nobody says that he can't retire. He can retire whenever the hell he wants to but he chooses not to do so. He's one of the top 50 richer musicians in the UK so he doesn't need the money at all. I (and a LOT of other people) think that it's great that Brian and Roger are still working in one way or another and they do it because they love the sheer pleasure of it. For the products they release, well, you can say Brian and Roger are filthy rich but many of the people who work FOR them don't. After all, Queen Productions is a business and it should bring profit to the owners. Yet, they manage to put out a good product every once in a while. :) Wiley |
| Adam Baboolal 25.01.2006 21:26 |
Hmm... I saw this in my local music shop and didn't realise it was official. I thought it was just a fun play-about guitar for sale. I might have to try it out next time I'm down there! Peace, Adam. |
| jchensf 25.01.2006 22:30 |
The idea behind Brian May Guitars is to offer a full line of guitars and open them up to players that are looking for more than just the "Brian May" sound. They would like to see the Red Special branded like the Les Paul guitar where the guitar outlives the reputation of its namesake. One of the goals of the original Burns Brian May guitar was that it was AFFORDABLE. The Guild version of the RS was too expensive for the average guitarist. Burns was able to produce a good playing guitar at an affordable price. The new MINI MAY hits the mark as an entry level or traveling guitar. It is a stripped down version of the RS with a shorter length and just a single pickup. The new Brian May Red Specials from Brian May Guitars look a little bit closer to the original. I'll try to get some pics together this weekend. The next guitar that I would like to see is an exact replica with the rolling knife edged tremolo at a higher price point. It has to have the Burns Trisonic pickups with a sixpence in the headstock. It should also be in the original brownish color rather than the brighter red. At NAMM, Vox introduced a new Brian May version of the Vox AC30 and it is going to be limited to a run of just 100 amps. I also saw the new Foxx Phase pedal that was the same pedal that Brian played in the early days of Queen. Not sure when they will be shipping. Your thoughts? What would you like to see? -- Jim |
| -luke_taylor- 28432 26.01.2006 10:50 |
No its probly because there greedy, when people earn there millions they want more, there not satisfied with 10 million, they want to add a couple more 0s on the end of it |
| Thanks 26.01.2006 15:02 |
-Luke_Taylor- wrote: What about the money for the touring with paul rodgers, and the money for a night at the opera aniversarry edition, just wondered why he cant retire aswellIsn't this a thread about the guitar, or are you just obsessed with profit and people's non-right to make one? |
| -luke_taylor- 28432 26.01.2006 15:22 |
yeah it is about the guitar, and its crap so thats that, i am hooked on brians money aswell, all the time ive waited for him to make a withdrawl from his bank, just the smell of a stinking rich man, arghh lovely |
| Thanks 26.01.2006 18:57 |
Ahah, the first review..."it's crap". Well thought through. Did you play it thru a Marshall stack or a Pignose to achieve this searing insight? |
| jchensf 02.02.2006 17:16 |
There's another pic of the Mini May on Brian's site from January 16. link |
| HyP 03.02.2006 13:04 |
The new VOX AC30 is the real thing, if you're OK with Solid State. It does have a nice sound, although you can definitely tell the difference. That's why most pros go get the vintage gear. The good thing is you get a lot more tone control with the new vox head. That mini guitar looks to be about as cheesy as the burns. Of course, if you just want a guitar that LOOKS (not plays) like Brian's guitar, most people by the burns. I can get a closer sounding Red Special using a Strat & a JMP-1 than the burns. Of course, that's just my opinion... |
| Boy Thomas Raker 03.02.2006 13:18 |
What is your impression of the Guild's, HyPressure? I've heard people say that the '85 Guild's are fantastic, others say they aren't, some love the '94 Guild's, yet some say the Burns (which looks like shit IMHO) is closer sonically to Brian's sounds. Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
| Micrówave 03.02.2006 13:25 |
Oh, yes. The Guild IS sweet. Although quite "bitey" on the high end. Makes a great Santana tone (even though I hate that tone!!!) as well. And you're right... It looks way better than the burns. They don't pop up on ebay very often, but I got mine for $800!!! |
| HyP 03.02.2006 13:29 |
I concur. You can get a warmer tone if you run it through a decent preamp. The aforementioned Marshall or the ADA preamps are my favorites. The ADA even has a great reverb built in (on the newer models). Be careful that you find the Guild from 1984. They re-issued it, which is probably why Mircrowave got his for $800. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 03.02.2006 15:09 |
Thank you! I know that they put DiMarzio pickups in the 84s, then Seymour Duncan's in the 90s models which was supposed to make it more 'Brian' like, but I'm partial to the look and sound of the '84 model, since I own one! |
| HyP 03.02.2006 15:50 |
We are truly two of the lucky ones. I know they were limited, though I've heard several different numbers... as low as 200 as high as 2000. I am going to check out this mini, to see if it's worth having.... but I doubt the wife will let me spend a lot more on guitars... |
| deauville 06.02.2006 08:29 |
Aha, that's me and my son in the letters section of brianmay.com!!!!! Eric |
| jchensf 07.02.2006 01:52 |
Way to go Eric! So, how do you like the Mini May? Seems like a lot of people here are slamming it (simply because it is for sale), but I'd like to hear from you since you actually have played it. Is the neck the same width or thinner? |
| HyP 07.02.2006 11:35 |
I'd like to know your thoughts too, Eric. I'm not slamming it, I just think there's a lot of junk out there with Brian May's name on it and have personally been disappointed with some of it. The Burns The Deacy amp And no offense to Brian either. They come to him with this stuff, not the other way around. |
| deauville 08.02.2006 08:18 |
OK, here's my thoughts on the mini-may. First of all, I did not buy this guitar to use it as a serious instrument or to perform or record with it. I am not even a serious guitarist. I bought my Burns before I could even play a single chord, I just bought it because I'm a big Queen-fan and the Burns was the first affordable Red Special clone. Later, I started taking lessons and practiced, but I don't claim to be a good guitarist. I _did_ buy the mini-may just because it looks nice as a gadget. However, this does not mean that it's a bad product. It IS a real guitar. It's playable, though not very versatile: no switches (one single coil), no tremolo. Easy to handle because of it's size and weight. Sound is OK. And, let's be honoust: great for kids! Conclusion: If you are a big Brian May fan, this is a must-have. If your five-year old kid wants to play and you do not want him to use your guitar, buy it. If you're looking for a guitar that is easy to handle and you will be only using it for practicing, get it (though there are cheaper alternatives). If you want a guitar to perform with, buy something else. Eric |
| .DeaconJohn. 08.02.2006 13:49 |
I think it looks rather cool; if they keep the price low I would be interested; something to sit in an armchair or lie in bed and noodle about on. I wouldnt pay more than £120 for it though. |