Brian May Gifts Tony Iommi a Stunning Red special replica – A Testament to Rock Legend Friendship
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London, UK – December 14, 2025 – In a heartwarming display of rock and roll camaraderie, Queen’s Brian May has presented Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi with a meticulously crafted, left-handed replica of his iconic Red Special guitar. The gesture, revealed by Iommi on social media this week, underscores the deep friendship between two titans of guitar music.
The original Red Special is legendary. Built painstakingly by May and his father Harold in the early 1960s from unconventional materials – including mahogany from an old fireplace mantle and an oak fingerboard – the guitar became inextricably linked with Queen’s signature sound throughout their meteoric rise in the 70s and 80s. It’s more than just an instrument; it’s a symbol of ingenuity and musical innovation.
This isn’t just any replica. crafted over two years by master builder Andrew Guyton, the instrument boasts the exact vintage construction of May’s original, but uniquely shaped to accommodate Iommi’s playing style and his iconic Jaydee Old Boy neck. Guyton ensured authenticity, incorporating a built-in treble booster and vintage-style pots and pickups to faithfully recreate the Red Special’s celebrated tone.
“Huge thanks to my best friend @brianmayforreal and master builder Andrew Guyton @guyton_guitars for this remarkable left-handed Red Special replica,” Iommi shared on Instagram,alongside photos of himself playing the stunning guitar. “Andrew personally delivered it last week – a true gift from Brian, two years in the making. Christmas came early!”
beyond the Gift: A Look at May’s Recent Activity
This generous act of friendship comes amidst a busy period for Brian May. Earlier this year, he collaborated with Gibson to release a limited-edition 12-string acoustic, the Brian May SJ-200, a highly sought-after instrument for collectors and musicians alike.
However, recent news has also highlighted May’s health concerns. Following a stroke earlier this year, his wife Anita Dobson has indicated that full-scale Queen + Adam Lambert tours are unlikely, though the band intends to continue creating and performing on a smaller scale.
The Enduring Legacy of Rock’s Greatest Guitarists
The gift to Iommi serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of friendship and mutual respect within the music industry. It’s a lovely moment showcasing the bond between two guitar heroes who have shaped generations of musicians and continue to inspire fans worldwide. This story isn’t just about guitars; it’s about legacy, innovation, and the enduring spirit of rock and roll.
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How did the unconventional materials used in the original Red Special contribute to its unique tonal characteristics?
Backstory & Technical Overview
The Red Special is one of rock history’s most iconic instruments. In the early 1960s, a teenage Brian May, together with his father harold, set out to build a guitar from scratch in their family workshop in Hampton, London. Using unconventional materials-a piece of mahogany reclaimed from a fireplace mantel for the body, an oak fingerboard salvaged from a kitchen table, and a phenolic laminate pickguard-the duo crafted a 24‑inch scale, three‑pickup, tri‑angular‑headstock guitar that would become the signature sound‑source for Queen’s soaring harmonies and blazing solos.
Beyond its unique construction, the Red Special incorporated several innovative features: hand‑wound “Mansa” single‑coil pickups, a built‑in treble booster wired into the volume knobs, and a phase‑switching system that allowed May to blend pickup signals for a richer tonal palette. The instrument’s distinctive tone-bright, articulate, and surprisingly clean at high gain-has made it a revered template for guitar makers and collectors alike.
In late 2024, veteran luthier Andrew Guyton embarked on a two‑year project to create a left‑handed replica of the Red Special as a personal gift from Brian May to his longstanding friend and fellow guitar legend Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. The replica faithfully reproduces every original detail while mirroring the neck and control layout for left‑handed playability, allowing Iommi to blend the classic Red Special sound with his own signature heavy‑riff style. The hand‑built instrument was delivered in December 2025, marking a symbolic gesture of mutual respect between two pioneers of rock guitar.
Key Specifications & timeline
| Item | Original Red Special (1963‑1965) | Left‑Handed Replica (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1963‑1965 | 2023‑2025 (2‑year build) | Original built by Brian & Harold May; replica built by Andrew Guyton |
| Builder | Brian May & Harold May | Andrew Guyton (hand‑built) | Commissioned as a gift from Brian May |
| Handedness | Right‑handed | Left‑handed | Neck, bridge, and control cavity mirrored |
| Body Wood | Mahogany (fireplace mantle) | Mahogany (source‑matched) | Same density & grain pattern for tonal consistency |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany | Mahogany (hand‑shaped) | Re‑profiled for left‑handed grip |
| Fingerboard | Oak (reclaimed table) | Oak (same dimensions) | retains original feel and nib‑width (24 mm) |
| Scale Length | 24.0 in (610 mm) | 24.0 in (610 mm) | Identical for string tension |
| Pickups | Three hand‑wound “Mansa” single‑coils | Three hand‑wound replicas (same winding specs) | exact vintage voicing |
| Controls | 2 volume knobs (push‑pull phase), 1 tone knob, built‑in treble booster | 2 volume knobs (push‑pull phase), 1 tone knob, built‑in treble booster | Layout mirrored for left‑handed use |
| Finish | Natural lacquer (clear) | Natural lacquer (hand‑applied) | Protects wood while showcasing grain |
| Estimated Price | Original: £0 (personal project) | £12,000-£15,000 ( |
