New Guitar Build

[-mjk-]

Raymon Guitarworks is building a new Red Special guitar (as in Brian May's Red Special) for me.

Today he sent me the first 4 photos of the body work. This guitar will be built to the original specs. Check them out if you like.

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Mark Richards]

Congrats! Looking forward to seeing and hearing it soon.

 

[Max Relic]

Congrats @-mjk-, she looks promising! Any anticipation on the pickup specs (wire, magnets...) which I dare to assume will be hand-built?

 

[-mjk-]

@Max Relic, It will have B&B Specials pickups and they will be engraved with my artist name (because I'm not a Brian May cosplayer). The wiring is identical to the original with the 6 Jean Renard slide switches. Most of the boutique pickup makers are doing them hand-made according to what has been published about Brian May's own modifications, as well as some insider information from luthiers such as Grey Fryer and Andrew Guyton. They are all pretty close to the originals in specs and tones. There have been a few newcomers to the BMG pickup game but I trust Raimon, the builder and his choice of materials. The bespoke components of the vibrato system (erroneously referred to as the "trem" by most websites, including his) are all machined to the original specs and so are the control knobs. I'm having Raimon install a Knight Superpot in the guitar, which is what Brian has now and is not an original spec. It will be setup for .008" gauge strings which is what I am exclusively using on my electric guitars now.

 

[Max Relic]

Thanks @-mjk-, can't wait for the first hands-on report.

 

[-mjk-]

Thanks @Max Relic. I have a few solos I want to use it on. I held back from using another guitar, but I know it will be worth the wait. I ordered it back in November.

 

[Max Relic]

I followed many a guitar build on the TDPRI Telecaster forum and got an idea of the complexity of luthiers job. It takes knowledge, experience, patience and much, much love to create a guitar from zero. It's a long path that takes time and efforts before the finished guitar can eventually be played. Making a great guitar's replica can be exceptionally challenging but the result will surely be a great reward for both the luthier and the owner.

edit: added link to TDPRI forum ;-)

 

[shredd]

I've 'followed' a few git'r builds/builders myself. Once you get to the real artisan-level builders, it's an absolutely awe-inspiring effort, and the resulting instruments are nothing short of extraordinary works of art - that you can play - and BOY do they play!

 

[-mjk-]

The guitar is finished and it was delivered just over a week ago. All I can say is WOW!

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by MJ Klein

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Max Relic]

Congratulations! Thrilled?

 

[-mjk-]

Oh yes! It has exceeded my expectations!

 

[Mark Richards]

mj, that's outstanding...a work of art, IMHO. Best wishes for many years of enjoyment.

 

[shredd]

The guitar is finished and it was delivered just over a week ago. All I can say is WOW!

Good gravy. I expected it’d be gorgeous. But ain’t words that can describe that thing. Wrappin’ yr hands around a git’r like that is bucket-list material!!!

 

[-mjk-]

And it sounds great too!

 

[Arjan P]

Congrats, @-mjk- that looks fabulous! I'm sure you'll have great fun with it!

 

[Stutz]

A fine, beautiful looking guitar mjk. I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks.

 

[-mjk-]

Congrats, @-mjk- that looks fabulous! I'm sure you'll have great fun with it!

I've had it about a month now Arjan. It's one of those instruments that you don't even have to play. I take it with me somewhere and just open the case, lol. The sounds are really great. I've done a bit of recording with it and I'm very happy with the results. Thanks.

 

[-mjk-]

@Stutz when playing a Queen tune, it sounds pretty much exactly like one would expect. But it's such a good vintage guitar sound that it could be used as a main guitar for gigging although a bit expensive. Actually, Raimon raised the price by 1,000 Euros for 2025! Glad I ordered mine before that big increase!

 

[Stutz]

mjk. Wow, that sure was an increase in price, I imagine it would be well worth it to anyone who wanted such a versatile beautiful guitar.

 

[shredd]

Raimon raised the price by 1,000 Euros for 2025! Glad I ordered mine before that big increase!

Yikes...
Yet - as I've watched instrument prices over the decades...that's where we are. One of my pro-musician pals plays every gig - even on tour - on a Collings 'coustic that cost him nearly NINE GRAND.
And - as someone who paid multiple thousands for my beloved Martin HD-12-28 (which is a standard factory-produced git'r, not hand-built)...I'd never say "not worth it". Git'rs are like art - it doesn't matter HOW much it costs, if it's worth it to the person who pays it...