| YourValentine 15.04.2007 16:27 |
How do you like the new BM guitars? They are presented on the official website. Various colours are available and they cost between 1500 -2500 British pounds link |
| Penetration_Guru 15.04.2007 18:01 |
Barb, those are still the £500 guitars. The £1500-2000 ones are "forthcoming attractions" at this stage. |
| deleted user 15.04.2007 21:06 |
if i could get one, i would either get the Red Special replica, or the "white" one |
| jchensf 15.04.2007 22:56 |
We have most of the guitars in stock at Audio Images. Call us at 415-957-9131. -- Jim |
| john bodega 15.04.2007 23:30 |
I'm really in love with my Burns... But shit, I'd just about give it up for the baby blue one or the 3 tone sunburst!! What a look :D |
| Back2TheLight 16.04.2007 01:08 |
How much does it translate into US dollars?? And the question is are they going to sell it out here?? Trying to find the Burns model when they manufactured them was a nightmare!! |
| YourValentine 16.04.2007 03:03 |
"Barb, those are still the £500 guitars. The £1500-2000 ones are "forthcoming attractions" at this stage." Oops - sorry. Does it mean they launch a new website but the new guitars are not on it ? |
| Adam Baboolal 16.04.2007 11:35 |
bambams-paradise wrote: How much does it translate into US dollars?? And the question is are they going to sell it out here?? Trying to find the Burns model when they manufactured them was a nightmare!!Dude, they're selling at musician's friend. Cheaper than the UK price after some calculations. Yes, the newer release of the BM guitars (from last year) are much better playing and sounding than the Burns. Sorry Zeb! I've got a Green burns and in comparison the weight, sound and feel aren't as polished as last years 2006 models. Still excellent sounds though. But yeah, very interested in the recent "pro guitar" announcement. Just hope it's not too highly priced as I've recently found people on another forum that make excellent/accurate copies for under £1000. Adam. P.S. I'm selling my Green Special on ebay here - link If you check my other listings you'll find a Vox AD60vt amp that would go well with it! |
| MercuryArts 16.04.2007 12:48 |
Musician's Friend is selling them at a sarting price of $799.00 I hope Guitar Center starts selling them. I have a hard time buying a new guitar sight unseen online. Anyway, I am extreemly happy w/ my 2004 Burns model in Gloss Black. Its very sleek & sexy & plays better then my Strat or my LP. |
| Micrówave 16.04.2007 17:00 |
I'm always suspect of a "signature" guitar. Adam, how does this compare to the Guild? If they're on Musician's Friend, it's only a matter of time before my Guitar Center gets one. But after the burns, is it worth a look? Or is just another "like Brian May" guitar. I just never liked the tone of the Burns from strum one. Sounded like a Jackson. Like the new BM AC30. Are we not just paying $100 per letter (in Brian's name) for a new circuited Solid State/tube combo? I was able to sell my Digitech Pedal while the "hype" was still on. Can't believe they still want $200 for that one. |
| Adam Baboolal 16.04.2007 20:34 |
Never played a Guild so wouldn't know. I've heard various samples and I guess it sounds good. And I can only guess that the BM guitars can't compare with the Guild. For those wanting more from their Burns or BM-sig guitars, you might wanna try Adesons in your guitars. For those that don't know, the Adeson pickups are a 100% recreation of the original Burns Trisonics. And yes, they are supposed to be better than the recent Burns Trisonics own recreations!! If you're interested in this, go to the BrianMayWorld.com site and check the forum for peoples posted samples. They love adesons and everyone uses them in their own RS copies. I guess I was unlucky cause when I tried them in mine, they squealed like hell. Ugh... But the guy who makes them was very happy to help when I mentioned my troubles. Even to the final point where he gave me a refund after I had tried all I could. They sounded smooth, but I don't really have a full picture of what they sounded like. I'm still intrigued by them! Adam. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 16.04.2007 21:33 |
I'm a big believer in getting what you pay for, and as such I believe the Guild's are a much better guitar than the Burns. First off, production costs were much lower for the Burns, so I'm unsure how having cheaper electronics, wood, R&D, etc. contributes to a significantly more affordable guitar being a better instrument. It's like a $15,000 Hyundai being a better ride than a $40,000 Mercedes. The Guild's were tremendously well received when the came out in '84 and '93, and rightfully so. I like the looks of the Guild much more also, don't look as cheap, but the Burns seems suitable for a Brian clone at an affordable price. |
| john bodega 17.04.2007 10:54 |
"Yes, the newer release of the BM guitars (from last year) are much better playing and sounding than the Burns. Sorry Zeb! I've got a Green burns and in comparison the weight, sound and feel aren't as polished as last years 2006 models. Still excellent sounds though." Damn! Myself.... gaw, if I had the dough, I'd definitely chase up one of these things. I'll have to wait a while I guess. "I just never liked the tone of the Burns from strum one. Sounded like a Jackson." Really??? Hmmm! |
| Last Cyborg 18.04.2007 13:06 |
I'm trying to come up with a definitive list of what colour/hardware/pickguard variants have been available in the Burns Brian May / "Brian May Brian May" range, but I can't seem to find much decent information.. does anyone know any sites or anything that lists that sort of stuff?? |
| Penetration_Guru 18.04.2007 14:55 |
Have you tried Brianmaycentral? There's an owner's list on there. |
| jchensf 18.04.2007 19:14 |
We received four of the baby blue Brian May guitars and only have one left. It's a beautiful guitar that is baby blue with gold hardware and a white pearloid pickguard. It looks like a guitar that Prince would play or one that came straight from the heavens. -- Jim Audio Images 415-957-9131 |
| john bodega 18.04.2007 23:58 |
jchensf wrote: We received four of the baby blue Brian May guitars and only have one left. It's a beautiful guitar that is baby blue with gold hardware and a white pearloid pickguard. It looks like a guitar that Prince would play or one that came straight from the heavens. -- Jim Audio Images 415-957-9131Damn you for being far away!! |
| YourValentine 19.04.2007 03:57 |
@ Last Cyborg check link |
| Legy 23.04.2007 16:27 |
When the Guilds were first released, Guitar Center sold them for $1500.00. Then a few years later I saw one for $800.00, BRAND NEW TOO! Around 1999 the prices sky rocketed. I remember the Guitar Center in Hollywood, California had a green Guild and a red Guild and they were selling for $3,000, each. Now the Burns will be collectors items due to them having the Burns name on the headstock. They won't be as expensive as the Guilds are but they will go up in price. The new BHMs, if they come to fruition, will be pretty much what the Guilds were, with hopefully a few updates. Price wise we're looking at $2,000 - $2,700 here in the States. The prices might be higher in the first few months then they'll drop, pretty much what Burns USA did. |
| Micrówave 24.04.2007 13:35 |
I hope so, because that's a serious price-tag. The last few Brian May items have really been just toys really. The Deacy amp, the footpedal, I was starting to wonder what's next? Hairy picks? I am told a US dealer cost would be around $1700, which is what I'm planning on doing. But I want to see it first this time! Sold my Burns for what I paid for it, but it was such a waste of time. |
| NTL 24.04.2007 17:21 |
artemismoon wrote: When the Guilds were first released, Guitar Center sold them for $1500.00. Then a few years later I saw one for $800.00, BRAND NEW TOO! Around 1999 the prices sky rocketed. I remember the Guitar Center in Hollywood, California had a green Guild and a red Guild and they were selling for $3,000, each.Are you sure that was for the BHM Pro? Ive got a copy of Guitar World or Player from '94 and they are advertised in there for around $3000 Ive got a Guild '92 Prototype exactly the same as the one on the Brixton vid (Headlong/Love Token) except in the normal red colour. Wonder how much Id get for that? Any Offers? |
| Penetration_Guru 24.04.2007 18:03 |
Micrówave wrote: I hope so, because that's a serious price-tag. The last few Brian May items have really been just toys really. The Deacy amp, the footpedal, I was starting to wonder what's next? Hairy picks? I am told a US dealer cost would be around $1700, which is what I'm planning on doing. But I want to see it first this time! Sold my Burns for what I paid for it, but it was such a waste of time.Have you used any of these "toys"? Or just dismissed them as they don't suit your purposes? You also ignored the VOX AC30BHM1, a full size signature AC30 "toy"... |
| Adam Baboolal 24.04.2007 18:11 |
HAH! Toys indeed. The Deacy is NOT a bloody toy. Some purists don't like it, but I tell ya what, I've heard some extremely good recordings made with one. It's what you do with it that counts deary! The pedal? Well, that and that only MAY be a toy. But it does have its uses and its defenders. But really, the only "toys" Brian has released could be the sixpence with his face on it or maybe the mini-may. Though, once more, they have their uses. Adam. |
| john bodega 24.04.2007 22:26 |
"the only "toys" Brian has released could be the sixpence with his face on it or maybe the mini-may." I haven't yet had anyone give me a good explanation for the Mini-May.. how would it possibly make any Brian sounds with only one pickup!! I'd much rather see him release a line of Red Special ukuleles... In hindsight, I wish I hadn't spent all my money on a Burns last year. I really like the instrument, but it just isn't "3 tone sunburst", you know! |
| Legy 25.04.2007 11:22 |
NTL wrote:No sir, not the Pro but the Signature was on being sold for $1,499.99. I remember this like if it were yesterday. I even remember getting a sales catalogue from Guitar Center and the price was in fact $1,499.99. Now remember, you probably saw the MSRP and not the price it was actually being sold for. The MSRP on the Burns BHMs were $1,495.95 and they're being sold for $799.99artemismoon wrote: When the Guilds were first released, Guitar Center sold them for $1500.00. Then a few years later I saw one for $800.00, BRAND NEW TOO! Around 1999 the prices sky rocketed. I remember the Guitar Center in Hollywood, California had a green Guild and a red Guild and they were selling for $3,000, each.Are you sure that was for the BHM Pro? Ive got a copy of Guitar World or Player from '94 and they are advertised in there for around $3000 Ive got a Guild '92 Prototype exactly the same as the one on the Brixton vid (Headlong/Love Token) except in the normal red colour. Wonder how much Id get for that? Any Offers? |
| Boy Thomas Raker 25.04.2007 21:59 |
The original Guild's in '84 sold for $1200 U.S. I got mine second hand ($600), and this was when I was a Queen fanatic. I couldn't believe I actually was holding one of the low serial numbers in red, and when the seller told me she was going to sell it to me it was one of the great days in my life. |
| Micrówave 27.04.2007 12:42 |
Zebonka12 wrote: "the only "toys" Brian has released could be the sixpence with his face on it or maybe the mini-may."Deacy practice amp- For the price, junk. Overdrive an 8" speaker? Oh, yeah. Sounds just like Brian. Digitech Foot Pedal- Horrible flange effect, as Digitech has always. Computer chip samples for $200? Notice most of the other pedals by Digitech have dropped to $100 already. Junk. EXAMPLE: Keep yourself alive starts with two guitars but the flange speed is slighly off, which makes 'em sound so spacey. You can't do that with this pedal. Mini-May- Self explanatory Brian May Vox AC30 - for an extra $700 you lose the ability to shape your tone. Gee, thanks. But then, these are only my feelings on the matter. I like to plug directly into a Marshall amp and just go. No foot pedals, phasers, pods, etc. Unless I want to cover up my crappy playing. Have I played them, Penetration_guru? Yes, all of them. The only thing the Deacy amp is good for is "tuning your guitar". This is a direct quote from Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick. And really the only reason he liked it was that it was white. Not for the tone, controls, or beefy sound you think it has. It's all in the eye of the beholder. I've had a Mesa Boogie, JCM-120, even tried those Line 6 amps, but I always come back home to my Marshall. There's simply nothing finer, although a true vintage AC30 is about the only thing in it's class. |
| Micrówave 27.04.2007 13:20 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: The Deacy is NOT a bloody toy. Some purists don't like it, but I tell ya what, I've heard some extremely good recordings made with one.Really? Seriously Adam, can you name some? I'd be interested to see if anybody has professionally recorded with it. And I don't mean some garage band that you recorded. I'm talking about someone with some skins on the wall. Some of the people here (not accusing you) sound like Brian May Products salesmen. I would hope that we would let honesty answer our questions and not be clouded by Brianitis. Hey, I love Brian, too! But I know all about endorsements. I really don't think Brian spent too much time with the R&D team on the amp or the pedal. But again, it's all how it feels to the musician. My favorite strat right now is the Eric Johnson signature. It fits me good and I simply love the tone and playability. The Eric Clapton model is $1000 more, but If I had to choose, I'd take the Johnson. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 27.04.2007 15:32 |
Fair points Microwave. I remember people posting that the Burns were better than the Guild's when the Burns came out. Not just with guitars, but I've never understood the criteria for a product that was virtually half price being superior to the more expensive product. Were all of those things (quality control, better hardware, workmanship, R & D, design, etc.) better on the Burns than the Guild, and if so, why aren't other industries copying this model? I see a lot of Burns for sale, not so many Guild's, so methinks that specific product was a result of people buying it with Brian's name attached without thinking about the quality. |
| Adam Baboolal 27.04.2007 16:09 |
Dude, calm down. Seriously, you seem pissed off for some reason. Secondly, there aren't any professionals using the Deacy. Why would they? They'd get accused of stealing a sound or not using their own initiative to come up with their own sound. And it was a niche product which is why it only ran for a short time. I also think it's unfair to judge the AC30BM so harshly. It's setup in a very specific way for a specific purpose. It may be expensive, but it does what it's supposed to do. Some people want that. Not me, mind. link If you can search that forum, I'm sure someone recorded a song of their own with the ac30bm and it sounded excellent. Back to the Deacy. So, the only place I could point towards for these Deacy examples could be the Red Special forum at Brianmayworld.com. But then, there used to be sites I checked out on the web somewhere. It's on another computer, so I don't have the links to hand. But seriously, it works if you want it to. One of the recent comments about it was to treat it like the real deacy and Brian said they used to tame the highs by covering it with a coat, for instance. You don't just put a mic in front of it and expect it to work straight off. Uh uh... Which makes me wonder. Why don't you like it again? Adam. P.s. what was the garage band comment all about? |
| Legy 27.04.2007 16:17 |
Micrówave wrote:I've heard some decent recordings of the Vox Deacy in action. Visit the "Fan Works" area of this site linkAdam Baboolal wrote: The Deacy is NOT a bloody toy. Some purists don't like it, but I tell ya what, I've heard some extremely good recordings made with one.Really? Seriously Adam, can you name some? I'd be interested to see if anybody has professionally recorded with it. And I don't mean some garage band that you recorded. I'm talking about someone with some skins on the wall. Some of the people here (not accusing you) sound like Brian May Products salesmen. I would hope that we would let honesty answer our questions and not be clouded by Brianitis. Hey, I love Brian, too! But I know all about endorsements. I really don't think Brian spent too much time with the R&D team on the amp or the pedal. But again, it's all how it feels to the musician. My favorite strat right now is the Eric Johnson signature. It fits me good and I simply love the tone and playability. The Eric Clapton model is $1000 more, but If I had to choose, I'd take the Johnson. Try this site too link The Brian May board has plenty of anoraks ;-P Granted it is no where near the original, nothing is. No matter how much you try, people aren't Brian May, to tell you the truth his recent sound doesn't sound like the sound I fell in love with. To me, the true Brian May sound came out of the 74-79 years. Nothing can beat that. I have a Vox Deacy, but I only use if to practice, I would look silly bringing that amp to a gig. By no way am I a sales man, I do purchase my guitars strings from Wimba though, but I do like Brians products. The Digitech is okay, the Vox Deacy is a decent practice amp, and his guitars are pretty good too. The only thing I really don't like is the Vox AC-30BM, waste of money if you ask me. Vox amps haven't been Vox amps in a long time either, for the true Vox AC-30 experience you have to by a JMI amp. link Nothing will beat the real thing. |
| Micrówave 27.04.2007 17:03 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: Dude, calm down. Seriously, you seem pissed off for some reason.No, Adam, I'm not. I really tried to word that so you wouldn't think that. But I'm also a little disappointed that a lot of people are telling people to spend a reasonable chunk of change when they will end up disapointed. Adam Baboolal wrote: Secondly, there aren't any professionals using the Deacy. Why would they? They'd get accused of stealing a sound or not using their own initiative to come up with their own sound. And it was a niche product which is why it only ran for a short time.For twice the price you could get a really good small combo. Plus you suggested that using it to record can get good results. That's simply not true. No offense to the the patches you listed, but you don't hear that? First off it screams SOLID STATE. I personally can't stand tubeless guitars or simulating them. I can hear it right off the bat, usually. Adam Baboolal wrote: I also think it's unfair to judge the AC30BM so harshly. It's setup in a very specific way for a specific purpose. It may be expensive, but it does what it's supposed to do. Some people want that. Not me, mind. link If you can search that forum, I'm sure someone recorded a song of their own with the ac30bm and it sounded excellent.Without searching, I think it's pretty safe to say it's not a real AC30. That sound only comes from an old original. And incidentally, those new Vox Valvetronix amps and processors suck, too. At least the ones I've tried. Take Tom Petty, for example. Play a Ric 330 thru a real AC30 or a Marshall or Fender tube amp. Then use the new stuff with a cheaper made guitar. Then jangle is just not there. Adam Baboolal wrote: Back to the Deacy. So, the only place I could point towards for these Deacy examples could be the Red Special forum at Brianmayworld.com. But then, there used to be sites I checked out on the web somewhere. It's on another computer, so I don't have the links to hand. But seriously, it works if you want it to. One of the recent comments about it was to treat it like the real deacy and Brian said they used to tame the highs by covering it with a coat, for instance. You don't just put a mic in front of it and expect it to work straight off. Uh uh... Which makes me wonder. Why don't you like it again?1. I don't want to go thru some wierd ritual to get the sound I like. Tame the highs with a coat? No thanks give me a knob or tell the engineer to EQ it. 2. no 8" speaker sounds good for live or recording purposes, period. I want to hear what I want it to sound like when practicing. Adam Baboolal wrote: P.s. what was the garage band comment all about?Again, no offense, but those clips you gave kinda sound like garage bands. And when I said "garage bands you recorded", I should have been more clear. I didn't specifically mean you. I meant "you" the one you recorded the band in general. I'm not criticizing technique, those just sound thin. Please, don't be offended, maybe it's my ear. In closing, I find 100% of your posts informative and quite interesting. If you were a blowhard, I simply wouldn't respond. But you're one of the top ears on this board, in my opinion. You obviously have spent just as much time in the studio as I, possibly more. Thank God you weren't one of those Casio guys, then I really would've had to have a little talk with you. So, no hard feelings Adam. I just believe that I was stating the obvious to some. I see somebody else already agreed with me about the AC30. I know if you had a choice between the Brian May and a '73 AC30 what you'd take, so please sorry if I came off a little rash |
| Adam Baboolal 27.04.2007 17:19 |
Just to clarify, I only posted a link to a post on a forum not to any sounds. I think you mistook someone else's post for mine. |
| Daniel Nester 27.04.2007 17:24 |
The Deacy amp may be a kind of novelty, but it's a far cry from a toy. I have gigged out with it miked, and it rocks with the cock out. I just tried the pedal today for the second time at Guitar Center, and the triple-harmonic effect alone make it worth 200 bucks. The toy to me has been the Mini May, which I haven't found very playable -- it doesn't really stay in tune. Granted, it was shipped to me from England, and I haven't gotten it properly set up, but I have yet to get this thing in tune to even strum a chord. It doesn't bode well for me for the BM guitars. I am more than happy with my Burns, for the record! |
| Daniel Nester 27.04.2007 17:32 |
"For twice the price you could get a really good combo." Sure. OK, the Deaky costs what? $125. So you spend another $125 and you could get a mini-Marshall or a Line 6? Great. I've got a Line 6 and a Deaky. It's apples and oranges. I use the Deaky to practice, and it sounds way better than, say, a Gorilla amp that costs that much, or a crappy Peavey amp. It's a practice amp! Saying the Burns BM sounds like a Jackson is kinda harsh. It sounds like a Les Paul SG-1 to me at worst -- a two-setting smooth rhythm and nasty lead. And isn't that what we all need as rock guitarists anyway? Like I said, I have gigged out with the Deaky, and with one mic on it, it filled a club-sized room. Sure, it might look ridiculous, but I'm the kind of guy who doesn't care about how I look onstage, just how I sound. |
| Micrówave 27.04.2007 17:40 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: Just to clarify, I only posted a link to a post on a forum not to any sounds. I think you mistook someone else's post for mine.Yes, my bad. |
| Micrówave 27.04.2007 17:49 |
Daniel Nester wrote: "For twice the price you could get a really good combo." Sure. OK, the Deaky costs what? $125. So you spend another $125 and you could get a mini-Marshall or a Line 6? Great. I've got a Line 6 and a Deaky. It's apples and oranges. I use the Deaky to practice, and it sounds way better than, say, a Gorilla amp that costs that much, or a crappy Peavey amp. It's a practice amp! Saying the Burns BM sounds like a Jackson is kinda harsh. It sounds like a Les Paul SG-1 to me at worst -- a two-setting smooth rhythm and nasty lead. And isn't that what we all need as rock guitarists anyway? Like I said, I have gigged out with the Deaky, and with one mic on it, it filled a club-sized room. Sure, it might look ridiculous, but I'm the kind of guy who doesn't care about how I look onstage, just how I sound.1. Yes, it's a practice amp, but I just don't like that crunchy 8" sound. That's not what I'm going to want to sound like, so again it's me. 2. You said you had the Deacy and the Line 6. I'm just betting that if you had the small Marshall you mentioned, you'd sell those other two within a year... until I read further... 3. Ah, you got my Jackson joke. Of course it's not as bad as that. But I have a Guild original and paid quite a lot for it. Back when I wanted to collect as well as play it. Then the Burns came out claiming to sound just as good. A lot of people ate that up... people like me. So maybe I have a grudge... 4. You have a purpose for the Deacy amp. Looks, I agree, are not important. But if you've taken that out to perform live, well, that's your sound. And then the amp becomes useful. So in your case, it is worth every penny. But if you're playing a $3000 guitar, don't you want it to sound kinda like that? Only a tube amp can do that. Funny how this has turned into the MICROWAVE HAS TO JUSTIFY HIS AURAL PERCEPTION. My days of "Nasty leads" are long over. And one "smooth rhythm" isn't gonna do it. Takes different wood, pickups, etc. I'm more into tone now than ever before. Listen to guys like Donald Koessler (Buck Dharma), Peter Frampton, Adrian Belew, Jeff Beck today. Their tone is 100 times better today than in the 70s. Those guys crafted their sound over the years. And they're not doing it with cheap amps or footpedals either. |
| Adam Baboolal 27.04.2007 17:51 |
Daniel Nester wrote: Like I said, I have gigged out with the Deaky, and with one mic on it, it filled a club-sized room. Sure, it might look ridiculous, but I'm the kind of guy who doesn't care about how I look onstage, just how I sound.LOL Hey! I did that too!! Even though I had a Vox Cambridge 30RT I still found myself sticking with the VBM1 mic'd. Hmm... Of course, I'm a valvetronix ad50 user now and loving that a million times more. With my 2006 BHM, Treble booster and that amp? It's heaven! Adam. |
| Legy 27.04.2007 18:13 |
3. Ah, you got my Jackson joke. Of course it's not as bad as that. But I have a Guild original and paid quite a lot for it. Back when I wanted to collect as well as play it. Then the Burns came out claiming to sound just as good. A lot of people ate that up... people like me. So maybe I have a grudge...The difference between the Burns and the Guilds are night and day. I've played a Guild and a Burns using the same equipment, the Burns does not hold up. And the Burns had Adeson TriSonics on it, it was mine. The Guild was much warmer and had a lot more sustain, and was a better guitar than the my Burns. |
| Daniel Nester 27.04.2007 22:25 |
Oh please, Microwave! Behave! And give me your gear! :) If you have a 3,000-dollar guitar, why don't you just say it? Day-um. It sort of takes one out of the debate, though, doesn't it? Kind of like quibbling about the Mini Cooper's interior when one has a Jag in the garage. I've played the Guild many times over the years, and to it's just as bad/good-sounding as the Burns RS. My main guitar is a Telecaster, and it's fine, but more and more, the Burns BM is my everyday guitar. Deaky Amp-wise, To shoo away a $100 amp as beneath you is fine, but it's not trying to be anything other than an amp-for-the-masses -- just like Queen is music for the masses! Comparing it to a Marshall amp setup, again, is like a Mini Cooper/Jag debate. I can't speak for the Brian May AC 30; sounds like that it might be a different debate entirely. I would day it's a disappointment to me that Brian went on his own after the Burns, and let my try to say why. The Burns is a relatively affordable guitar. It puts forth all the advances in guitar-making--and playing--that Brian and Harold May thought up all those years ago. And people will get that. Brian's innovations in the guitar, I'd say, are not as big as, say, Leo Fender and Les Paul, but they are certainly up there. And you can't copyright an idea all your life. Brian retreating into Brian May Guitarsland, with the doubling and tripling of guitar prices, is a retreat. In my opinion, he should keep a partnership with Burns -- hell, even Fender/Squire -- while making his marquee guitars. Why? Mark my prediction: Some day -- if not already -- there will be a guitar with all the innovations Brian has put into the Red Special, and it will look nothing like a Red Special. My only hope is that Brian gets credit for these innovations -- the individual pickup switches, in and out of phase switches, body type , the head stock -- years after he's gone. No one is talking about whether Deaky is getting money from Vox for his amp, eh? Deaky needs more lap dance money! |
| Daniel Nester 27.04.2007 22:30 |
I will say, again, that the Mini May is a huge disappointment. Like many Queen fans who buy Red Specials to hang over their mantle, I may do the same with the Mini May. I wanted it to really play -- to play horrible renditions of Hammer to Fall, for example, while on my book tours. But it doesn't even stay in tune. Anyone wanna buy it? I've got the original box and everything! |
| john bodega 28.04.2007 05:48 |
Hooha, leave a thread for 5 minutes and I miss lots of entertaining vitriol!! Microwave, for clarification - the thing you quoted me as saying actually came from someone else. "I've had a Mesa Boogie, JCM-120, even tried those Line 6 amps, but I always come back home to my Marshall." URGH, Line 6.... everyone I know seems to love them, I can't stand the things. They're toy amps, invented for the 14 year old metalhead market I think. But as for Marshall.... hmmm. Maybe the higher end stuff sounds better? In my price range at the moment, the Laney's offer a better sound and less mud. I'll get back to you if I can ever afford anything decent! "To me, the true Brian May sound came out of the 74-79 years. Nothing can beat that." I feel he may have... gone 'astray', occasionally :P But I dunno, in pieces like "The Dark", he's got an unmistakable Brian sound going. I think. "And incidentally, those new Vox Valvetronix amps and processors suck, too." I've found that the Valvetronix I tried last week sounded better as long as I didn't dick around too much with simulations and effects. How odd!! I did have it going ear-piercingly loud though, I was probably enjoying myself too much for an objective review. "I don't want to go thru some wierd ritual to get the sound I like." Where is your dedication!?! Hmm... I see all this talk about Mini Mays, and.... grrr!??! Why bother? If there's just one pickup, it's obviously not going to give the mini people the Mini Brian May tone they're after. What a waste of time!! "or a crappy Peavey amp." I recoil in fear from the Peavey brand name, but the Classic 30 is a good amp. "Saying the Burns BM sounds like a Jackson is kinda harsh." I really would have to put it down to personal experiences. Most of the more learned guru types who've had a go at my Burns think it's great. I personally like the feel of it, it's a joy to play, I've never really noticed the balance problem that people bring up. I dunno, my Burns is like any guitar I've had... take care of it, and it'll take care of you!! "Only a tube amp can do that." Amen! Sooo... anyone feel like swapping a 3-tone sunburst BHM with a Burns? :) Gaha. |
| Adam Baboolal 28.04.2007 09:28 |
Daniel Nester wrote: Brian retreating into Brian May Guitarsland, with the doubling and tripling of guitar prices, is a retreat. In my opinion, he should keep a partnership with Burns --I don't understand the retreating bit. The guitars are well priced and a lot cheaper than when they were initially with Burns. I've seen them at around £450 brand new and I see the US can get them cheaper at £405! So, prices are better than ever. And now it's under Brian May Guitars Ltd. I can wholeheartedly say they play and sound better than the two Burns I've tried in the past. I can only guess the tripling of prices is in reference to the 'pro' model mentioned. Nothing wrong with that since the low-end model will still exist and won't be phased out. There is still a partnership with Burns through the pickups. But I disagree that he should have stayed with them for the guitars. The manufacturing suffered over time and now they're under his company name, suddenly they're a lot better. It's the same plant they used in Korea apparently, so I wonder what happened. Adam. |
| Daniel Nester 28.04.2007 10:39 |
I think the jury is still out on the Brian May Guitars; that's my main point. My Burns is fantastic, it plays great. It's as good as the Guild in many ways, and definitely in the bang-for-the-buck department. I suppose I'm wrong about prices. And why a pro model at all? Let's see what happens with distribution, eh? I will definitely play a BHM BM modem, but lemme tell ya, the Mini May does not bode well. For $250, it's a complete POS. |
| Legy 28.04.2007 11:26 |
Zebonka12, I meant his live sound, not his studio sound. Daniel, the innovations that are on the Red Special are not new, even 40 years ago when Brian created the RS. They'd been done before, Brian just took it to the next level. link link |
| john bodega 28.04.2007 12:04 |
"Zebonka12, I meant his live sound, not his studio sound." In which case.... I quite agree!! |
| Adam Baboolal 28.04.2007 17:22 |
Daniel Nester wrote: I think the jury is still out on the Brian May Guitars; that's my main point. My Burns is fantastic, it plays great.The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will. I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely. And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns. Adam. |
| Daniel Nester 28.04.2007 20:37 |
Is everyone playing the same Burns guitar as I have been? I think the Burns guitar is excellent, and I know it's a big leap of prejudgment, I have to wait and see as far as the Brian May Guitars Red Specials are concerned. Artemismoon, of course Brian's innovations didn't come out of thin air -- there's been innovations in electric guitar since it's been invented -- the Hofners you link to, sure, shows me that there have been previous guitars with individual phase switches, is that correct? Sure. As well as the pickups. But the Red Special setup combines all that and more, and it's no small thing to put that together in that style of a body, with that kind of headstock. Without everyone being aware of these innovations on a large scale, you won't see, for example, an Epiphone BHM or the like. And I think there should be even cheaper lines of BHM-style guitars. So I guess my suspicion is that BM guitars, as it stands now, with its lack of worldwide distribution and no sales force, means a bit of a retreat from the initial ambition the Burns collaboration represents. I'm sure they will be good guitars, but the Burns were really good, and there won't be a better way of spreading the word. I think Microwave may be thinking in terms of the real "star" model guitars -- Eric Johnson, Clapton, Vai -- whose model guitars cost upwards of 1500 USD or more. |
| john bodega 28.04.2007 23:31 |
Adam Baboolal wrote:I don't doubt you for a minute - but has anyone done A/B tests of these, so we can hear them one after the other and get a feel for the sound?Daniel Nester wrote: I think the jury is still out on the Brian May Guitars; that's my main point. My Burns is fantastic, it plays great.The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will. I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely. And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns. Adam. I mean.... if the newer models are simply nicer to play, that's a different kettle of fish entirely :P But I would like to hear someone who knows a bit, testing the sound as well. Because I'd totally hand my Burns in (sentimentality aside) for something a bit better. |
| Adam Baboolal 29.04.2007 08:15 |
As far as I know, no, there are no proper A/B tests. Unfortunately I never recorded my Burns at all, only my red. And if anyone mentions the 2001 Guitarist recording against the 2006 one, it's a rubbish test of the 2006 BHM. What happened to Guitarist? The 2001 review was really good, even if you took away Brian's bits. And now the two Brian related products I've heard this last year have been really badly done. Nowhere near as in-depth as they used to be. Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with Burns. No idea. Adam. |
| Last Cyborg 29.04.2007 14:39 |
Cheers Penetration_Guru and YourValentine, very helpful thanks.
Adam Baboolal wrote: Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with BurnsThe quality of the Burns guitars does indeed seem to have been a bit inconsistant.. I remember on Brian's soapbox a few months someone asked him about how good the Burns BMs are and he's like "Oh, some of the better ones are okay". Which is basically admitting they weren't all equally good.. Mine's a 2003, seems to be one of the better ones.. perhaps the decline started after this... |
| john bodega 29.04.2007 15:30 |
I have no clue when mine is from. It's got 4445 written on it. I dunno... I can only go by the playability and the sounds I enjoy getting out of it - keeping in mind, I only play Queen on this guitar when it's requested!! I didn't get it to play Queen, I got it to try new things. I'm happy with my Burns :) |
| Last Cyborg 29.04.2007 16:02 |
I personally like the BM concept as a model of guitar in its own right rather than as a means of imitating Brian. And I think Brian is now actually trying to launch the Brian May as just that, a model in its own right (just like a Les Paul; no-one buys one to sound like the guitarist Les Paul who originally endorsed and gave his name to it, they buy one because they like that model of guitar). That's why Brian's having it produced in such a wide range of un-Brian-like colours and fittings. Possibly it's why he split from Burns in the first place (other than the mentioned quality control problems). The Burns model was about giving buyers the chance to own the same guitar as Brian May, as used in Queen... Whereas Brian's new operation is about launching the guitar as a credible model that anyone might buy, just as they might buy a Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul or whatever else. That's my theory anyway. |
| Adam Baboolal 29.04.2007 17:29 |
Just read that they changed factories for better build quality. Well...there ya go. Adam. |
| Micrówave 30.04.2007 13:30 |
Daniel Nester wrote: Oh please, Microwave! Behave! And give me your gear! :) If you have a 3,000-dollar guitar, why don't you just say it?Currently I'm playing an Eric Johnson strat, which I picked up new for $1100 at the Dallas Guitar Show. And what a deal it was!!!! You can get 'em for about $1500 Personally I think it plays superior to the more expensive Clapton model. I also play a Ric 330. My Guild doesn't usually leave the house. My Burns is long gone... good riddance. Maybe I had the "bad one" :) I am also selling my '03 Paul Reed Smith Custom 22. Paua bird inlays, rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid Paua signature, gold hardware, leather hardshell case, Carved artist grade quilted maple better than a 10 top, comes with mahogany back, Dragon II treble and bass pickups with covers. I have a 1973 Vox AC30 which I have never had problem one with. Also a Marshall 2X12 combo. That's it. No need for more. I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday. |
| Legy 30.04.2007 15:48 |
Micrówave wrote: I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday.I think your British made AC-30 will blow anyones AC-30BM away. They don't make them like they used to. |
| Daniel Nester 30.04.2007 18:46 |
I have only played an AC30 a couple times, when a maniac gearhead friend had a purple 60s model that was worth, oh, several internal organs. And a couple of trashed-out ones in rehearsal spaces in Manhattan. But safe to say they're great. I have had a couple of tube amps, and yes, they're great. Have you ever transported one in a taxi? Not really taxi-friendly. I like my Line 6 just fine for gigging out nowadays. It pretty much stomps. Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said. |
| john bodega 30.04.2007 23:08 |
"I have had a couple of tube amps, and yes, they're great." Oh man... having spent the first 10 years of my guitar life playing a 2nd hand transistor amp, and then getting my first valve amp... it was like going from black-and-white to colour. |
| Micrówave 01.05.2007 12:12 |
Daniel Nester wrote: Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said.No!!!! Not another "budget" Brian May guitar. That's what started my whole irritation in the first place. He keeps endorsing a guitar claiming it's better than the last one. I just want the truth! |
| Boy Thomas Raker 01.05.2007 13:33 |
The truth is elusive. I picked up a Burns in a shop, hearing that it was superior to a Guild. It looked horribly cheap, felt odd and I'd assume played worse. I still don't see how a "budget" guitar costing $800 in 2004 could be a better instrument than something that was $1200 at release 20 years ago. Surely wages, R & D, parts, hardware etc. had all increased in the 20 years since the Guild release. When the Guild first came out, the reviews were awesome, and I think Musician or Guitar Player called it the best made rock guitar to "come down the pipe in a long time." It was worth the $1200. Still don't see how the Burns can compare. |
| Legy 01.05.2007 14:34 |
There is no way a Korean made guitar will match up against an American made guitar. Any guitar player should know that. Guild BHMs are by far a superior instruments to the Korean made Burns. The newer BHMs are a little better, but they still don't compare to the Guilds. |
| Micrówave 01.05.2007 17:30 |
...and before anybody gets their political panties in a wad, this is just simply a fact. Go to fender's website and they address this issue in depth. It is also pretty well known that Korea, in particular, is known not only for bad craftmanship but very poor materials, primarily the wood used on the guitar. You think Nike shoe factories are bad? |
| Legy 01.05.2007 17:34 |
LOL! Two Texas boys saying our toys are better than yours. Gotta love it! But it is the truth, that's why you pay $3,000 for an American made Les Paul and $300 for a Korean made Les Paul. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 01.05.2007 19:21 |
I just picked my '85 Guild up for a look see, and it's a beautiful instrument. I love the way the word GUILD is inlayed at the top, very stylish. It's hardly perfect, does go out of tune more than I'd like, but the hardware is flawless, never had a problem with the electronics, and for a 22 year old guitar that's not bad. By comparison, my Korean built Washburn P2 (7 years old, MSRP of $1200, which I love like a bastard child compared to my Guild, but a child nonetheless) has had wiring and toggle switch issues, the pick guard screw came off and the volume pots are wonky. For the guitar industry at least, Korean stuff deosn't hold a light to the US. |
| john bodega 01.05.2007 22:35 |
Did I buy the one good Burns??? Haha. |
| Legy 01.05.2007 22:57 |
I own a Burns, it's a good guitar, but it doesn't compare with a Guild BHM Signature. Different woods, different hardware, different maker. It's not the same. |
| Micrówave 02.05.2007 12:11 |
Boy Thomas Raker wrote: By comparison, my Korean built Washburn P2 (7 years old, MSRP of $1200, which I love like a bastard child compared to my Guild, but a child nonetheless) has had wiring and toggle switch issues, the pick guard screw came off and the volume pots are wonky. For the guitar industry at least, Korean stuff deosn't hold a light to the US.FYI, the new Paul Stanley Washburns? Don't even waste your time. Part of this guitar is PLASTIC. You heard me folks, PLASTIC. There's even a Paul Stanley Acoustic model that looks quite comparable to those crappy Nascar guitars that came out 2 years ago. The only thing these are good for is the PETE TOWNSHEND TREATMENT. There are plenty of Luthiers out there that allow you to choose the materials and layout from day 1, and some are quite reasonable. Carvin and Alembic, for example, although their specialty lies more with Bass guitars, but they do both and quite a wonderful job. I'm really intrigued by those new Parker Nightfly models that were just released, so Brian will have to wait for my money. |
| john bodega 03.05.2007 09:49 |
"FYI, the new Paul Stanley Washburns? Don't even waste your time. Part of this guitar is PLASTIC. You heard me folks, PLASTIC." Like KISS music? :P (I love KISS by the way). |
| Daniel Nester 03.05.2007 10:42 |
My Burns never goes out of tune -- never -- but it's my first "real" guitar. I've always had crappy guitars -- I have a Fender Squire that is my beater guitar, a Martin acoustic that I love, and an Ibanez piece of crap that has a locking tremelo system that I hope to burn in my backyard firepit someday. That said, I do think the Guilds are excellent and I am jealous of those who bought one when it came out -- we have to do the math, though, boys -- that 1,000-dollar guitar back then would have cost how much these days? About 3 grand. The Burns cost me 899 -- and if you compare it to other guitars at that price point, I think it holds up to it pretty excellently. It might not be the best -- I may, like Microwave, choose a good Fender -- but it's enough to impress my gearhead musician friends in the corporeal sphere. Then there seems to be the "how close is it to Brian's real guitar" criteria. Seems the BHM guitar is coming close to it, yes? I play along to the Star Licks -- or try to play along -- with my Burns -- and it does OK. But again, wish I had a Guild and a BHM, too! But please -- let's all admit that even good guitar players -- and I exclude myself from this classification -- can't afford one thousand freaking dollars for a guitar. And that's why I think it would be great if Epiphone or some other non-Brian May-associated company simply did a copy. Yes, according to many of us on this thread, it would be a POS. Even me. But it would play differently than your average cheapo Korean-made Fender/Gibson copy, and it would advance what we all want to advance here at Queenzone -- the legacy of Queen and Brian May. Thoughts? I'm full of it, aren't I? :) |
| Micrówave 03.05.2007 12:15 |
$799 right now on Musician's Friend. Even with all this discussion, I find myself hovering over the click to purchase button. I know this is a Burns. Why do I need this? 3 Burns pickups. Aaaarggh. There should be a law against artists like Brian using Mind Control on me. |
| Queen-Obsessed 06.05.2007 21:10 |
Does anyone know if you can get them in Canada? I've been looking but I can't find one. |
| Micrówave 07.05.2007 12:10 |
Well, you'll have to drive to America to get one for a good price... kinda like cigarettes. |
