“This Guitar Has Soul!” — Brian May Explains Why He Only Uses the Red Special for 12 Classic Songs (And Why He’ll Never Sell It)

For Queen fans, the unmistakable sound of Brian May’s guitar is as iconic as Freddie Mercury’s voice. That signature tone, instantly recognizable on hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You,” comes from one extraordinary instrument: the Red Special. More than just a guitar, it’s a lifelong companion that Brian May built with his father over 60 years ago — and he’s never parted with it.

A Guitar Born From Necessity and Love

Back in 1963, a young Brian May and his father Harold crafted the Red Special from scratch in their living room. With limited funds, they used whatever materials they could find — including fireplace wood, motorbike parts, and even knitting needles for the tremolo arm.

“It wasn’t meant to be special,” May recalled. “We just wanted something that worked. But from the moment I played it, I knew it was alive. It had a voice.”

That voice soon became Queen’s defining sound — warm, rich, and unlike any other guitar on the planet. Despite having played countless guitars over the years, May insists none have “talked back” to him like the Red Special.

The 12 Songs That Belong to the Red Special

While Brian May uses replicas from time to time, he is adamant that 12 classic Queen songs must always be played on the original Red Special:

• Bohemian Rhapsody
• We Will Rock You
• Somebody to Love
• Tie Your Mother Down
• Killer Queen
• Keep Yourself Alive
• Now I’m Here
• Brighton Rock
• Hammer to Fall
• I Want It All
• Radio Ga Ga
• The Show Must Go On

“These songs were born through that guitar,” May explained. “It feels wrong to play them on anything else. They came from her voice, her tone — her soul.”

Why He’ll Never Sell the Red Special

Despite offers from collectors and museums, May refuses to part with the guitar.

“People have offered crazy money,” he admitted. “But how could I sell my best friend? I built her with my dad’s hands. Every note I’ve played, every tear I’ve shed on stage — she’s been there.”

The Red Special travels with May on every major tour, carefully maintained and never left behind. “She’s survived sweat, rain, and fire,” he said. “But she still sings. That’s loyalty.”

A Sound Like No Other

What sets the Red Special apart isn’t just its sentimental value — it’s the design. Handcrafted pickups and unique resonance give it a raw, imperfect tone that modern guitars can’t replicate.

“There’s magic in imperfection,” May explained. “Modern guitars are too clean. The Red Special growls, hums, breathes — like a wild animal you’ve tamed but never truly control.”

That untamed energy gave Queen’s music its fire, from soaring solos to gritty rhythms.

A Legacy Meant to Last

Even after six decades, Brian May continues to pour his heart into the Red Special, intending to keep it in the family.

“When I’m gone, I want her to stay in good hands,” he said. “She’s part of our history now — not just mine, but Queen’s, and maybe everyone’s who ever believed in building something from nothing.”

Asked if he would ever build another guitar like it, May smiled and shook his head.

“You can’t make another soul,” he said. “You only get one. And that’s the Red Special.”