OFFICIAL BRIAN MAY SIGNATURE GUITAR INTRODUCED IN NORTH AMERICA
Burns USA announces the introduction of the Brian May Signature Guitar in North America. This guitar was featured for the first time at the Winter NAMM Exposition, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, January 17-20, 2002.
The Burns Brian May Signature Guitar is the product of 22 prototypes with the goal of creating an affordable replica of Brian May’s handmade “Red Special” that he has played throughout his career. Mr. May, of Queen fame, insisted that the Burns model not only be affordable, but it should also be manufactured to the highest standards – using only the best quality timber and components available. Mr. May inspected every prototype, changing only small details to achieve the best possible match to his original guitar.
The Official Brian May Signature Guitar features “wired-in-series” Burns Tri-Sonic Pickups, handmade to the original design used in Mr. May’s guitar. When tested alongside the original Red Special guitar, Mr. May was astonished by the close sound replication. The pickup switching system is identical to the original, with on/off and phase reversal switches for each pickup. This provides the musician an exceptionally broad array of tone combinations. Two rotary knobs provide master control for volume and tone.
For greater tuning stability the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar uses, locking Grover Tuners selected by Mr. May. The guitar’s mahogany neck is glued into the mahogany body and is fitted with a grade-A ebony fingerboard. The neck is equipped with 24 fully-accessible medium frets, plus a zero fret, and a 24 inch (610mm) scale. The body shape faithfully replicates the original Red Special. The inclusion of an acoustic chamber in the area above and behind the bridge maintains the resonance characteristics of the original.
The Burns Brian May Signature Guitar is available in two colors – a Vintage Cherry and a three-tone Sunburst that was Mr. May’s personal request. The guitar will be available at an introductory price of $1095 (US) with an MSRP of approximately $1,395 (US). The Guitar is currently available through Codel Enterprises, the exclusive North American distributor for Burns London. Codel will be building a dealer channel to make the guitar available locally throughout the United States and Canada.
Information on the Burns Brian May Signature Guitar is available from the Burns USA Internet site (www.burnsusa.com) or from Codel Enterprises toll-free at 866/677-0056.
