With the saying: “I wish my father could still experience it”, Queen legend Brian May published a 12-string acoustic guitar with the official type name “Brian May SJ-200”. The rare part, from which only 100 pieces come onto the market worldwide, was designed by him with significant participation. Partner is the Gibson Guitar Corporation, which has existed since 1902, through whose special shops in Nashville and London (or order) the RARI clamps is available.
In a message, the May, who was still busy, commented on his role as an instrument designer.
“The idea for this guitar came up when I needed a 12-string guitar on tour. My tried and tested piece didn’t really work on the stage. So Gibson’s boys offered a friendly manner: ‘We make you something special that you can use on your tours’. A creative interplay of wishes and counter -proposals began. May asked, for example, that the octaves should be placed the other way around than on the usual models. He likes to reach up to create the upper tones when he plays.
Brian May and his Gibson:
“I really appreciate the Hohe octave, because I can play melodies on that. This guitar exudes beauty and a great sound. You can feel the experience that is in it. You can tell how much technical knowledge and craftsmanship has been incorporated. Gibson has managed to map a kind of universe. The “Mercury” planet is always present. A little alluding to a very good friend who is always with me. “
Gibson boss Cesar Gueikian is extremely impressed by this cooperation, in which special wood and pickups were used. “As a groundbreaking sound pioneer, trendsetter and one of the most influential musicians of all time, it is an absolute privilege to work with Sir Brian May.”
“Freddie was like a brother and the relationships at Queen lasted longer than any of our marriages”
May did not miss the opportunity to explain his “Mercury” attachment: “Freddie was like a brother and the relationships at Queen lasted longer than any of our marriages. It is still a big deal. We still carry Queen around with us, even if we no longer have Freddie. I’m now wearing a ‘Mercury’ on the guitar, which makes me very happy. “
In his early days in the late 1960s, May and his father built the legendary “Red Special” guitar. At that time, today’s multimillionaire May could not afford a guitar from established manufacturers such as Fender, Gibson or Höfner. Father and son began in August 1963 with the guitar creation. A year later, in October 1964, the one -off was finished.
Mays SJ 200 is already marked as “sold out” on the online platform of the Cologne professional dealer “Music Store”. In England the rare piece is offered for around 7,500 euros.