Why Does Brian May’s Guitar Sound Different?

Brian May’s ‘Red Special’ has a very distinctive tone.

Although having what appears to be 3 single coils in that guitar, there are several switches on the guitar that allowed him to select more complex wiring combinations than on a normal 5-way strat switch combination.

May previously performed with Taylor in the blues rock band Smile, which he had joined while he was at the University. After the Queen’s formation in 1970, bass guitarist, John Deacon joined to complete the line-up in 1971.

They became one of the biggest rock bands in the world with the success of the album, A Night at the Opera and its single, Bohemian Rhapsody.