I want a 12 string Red Special

So about a year ago, I e-mailed Brian May and gave him marching orders to the effect of 'make a 12 string Red Special', threw in a coy joke about Rickenbacker, stuff like that... actually he published my letter (and his "We'll get to it!" response) on his site.

Of course I don't really expect that to happen, it's taking forever just for the acoustic Red Special to show up (unless I've missed something).  A 12 string Red Special would be a bit of a niche item anyway so I don't think it's realistic.

BUT... I'd still like one.  What are my options, here?  I've never made a guitar, or done any serious converting of one.  Do I go about building one largely from scratch?  Would it be possible to knock one together using parts of a Red Special copy?

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[b]Zebonka12 wrote: [/b]







Of course I don't really expect that to happen, it's taking forever just for the acoustic Red Special to show up ([b][i]unless I've missed something[/i][/b]).  A 12 string Red Special would be a bit of a niche item anyway so I don't think it's realistic.





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You did: [url=http://www.brianmayguitars.co.uk/newsitems/view/65]http://www.brianmayguitars.co.uk/newsitems/view/65[/url]

Oh and I'm glad I'm not the only one who's daydreamed about a 12-string RS :-D

Hey! What about a dual-necked 6-string/12-string Super RS like the guitar Jimmy Page famously uses for "Stairway To Heaven"?? *drooooooooooooooooooooooooooolsss*

[b]Zebonka12 wrote: [/b]

Would it be possible to knock one together using parts of a Red Special copy? [/QUOTE]



Wouldnt that make it a sort of "Frankenstein" Red Special then? [img=/images/smiley/msn/whatchutalkingabout_smile.gif][/img]

I think that some parts need to be specially built for the 12-string, due to the extra string tension et al.

I'd go further, a triple neck... with an ukelele.

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[b]Marcos Napier wrote: [/b]

I'd go further, a triple neck... with an ukelele.
[/QUOTE] With a handle, like Stevie Vai?

I've seen some old 90's Guild BHM that have been converted to 12 string.  You can do that with the old Guilds because of their wider necks.

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[b]Dr. Pepper(The Spiceman) wrote: [/b]

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[b]Marcos Napier wrote: [/b]



I'd go further, a triple neck... with an ukelele.

[/QUOTE] With a handle, like Stevie Vai?




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With wheels. Brian is getting old.

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[b]Marcos Napier wrote: [/b]

I think that some parts need to be specially built for the 12-string, due to the extra string tension et al.
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Agreed..  that was my biggest concern.

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[b]artemismoon wrote: [/b]

I've seen some old 90's Guild BHM that have been converted to 12 string.  You can do that with the old Guilds because of their wider necks. [/QUOTE]
Hmmm,  not such a big problem for me.  Until recently I'd never even been in the same room as a 12 string but having had a play on a couple now, I'm cool with a neck width that's basically on a par with my RS.

Actually the first thing I thought of was the headstock.  I don't see how the extra 6 machine heads would go on there, not even in a Rickenbacker styling...

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[b]inu-liger wrote: [/b]

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[b]Zebonka12 wrote: [/b]















Of course I don't really expect that to happen, it's taking forever just for the acoustic Red Special to show up ([b][i]unless I've missed something[/i][/b]).  A 12 string Red Special would be a bit of a niche item anyway so I don't think it's realistic.













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You did: [url=http://www.brianmayguitars.co.uk/newsitems/view/65]http://www.brianmayguitars.co.uk/newsitems/view/65[/url]


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I wonder if we'll see that on the next tour, if there is one.

That'll be the day.

12-strings sound great, but they're a pain in the neck (as that specific part tends to warp).

Indeed.  I'll just have to build it out of something like granite, haha.

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[b]ThomasQuinn wrote: [/b]

12-strings sound great, but they're a pain in the neck (as that specific part tends to warp).
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So maybe the superstrings do exist... That's why time-space warps!

I would love a 12-string, too.  I would like the new acoustic and a proper 3/4 scale RS.

What about that second unmade BM prototype, the one that looks like an old Vox guitar?  Has any enterprising guitar make used the design and made a run of them?  That would be a prize.