"Zebonka12, I meant his live sound, not his studio sound."
In which case.... I quite agree!!
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[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think the jury is still out on the Brian May Guitars; that's my main point. My Burns is fantastic, it plays great.[/QUOTE]
The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will.
I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely.
And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns.
Adam.
The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will.
I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely.
And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns.
Adam.
Is everyone playing the same Burns guitar as I have been? I think the Burns guitar is excellent, and I know it's a big leap of prejudgment, I have to wait and see as far as the Brian May Guitars Red Specials are concerned.
Artemismoon, of course Brian's innovations didn't come out of thin air -- there's been innovations in electric guitar since it's been invented -- the Hofners you link to, sure, shows me that there have been previous guitars with individual phase switches, is that correct? Sure. As well as the pickups.
But the Red Special setup combines all that and more, and it's no small thing to put that together in that style of a body, with that kind of headstock. Without everyone being aware of these innovations on a large scale, you won't see, for example, an Epiphone BHM or the like. And I think there should be even cheaper lines of BHM-style guitars.
So I guess my suspicion is that BM guitars, as it stands now, with its lack of worldwide distribution and no sales force, means a bit of a retreat from the initial ambition the Burns collaboration represents. I'm sure they will be good guitars, but the Burns were really good, and there won't be a better way of spreading the word. I think Microwave may be thinking in terms of the real "star" model guitars -- Eric Johnson, Clapton, Vai -- whose model guitars cost upwards of 1500 USD or more.
Artemismoon, of course Brian's innovations didn't come out of thin air -- there's been innovations in electric guitar since it's been invented -- the Hofners you link to, sure, shows me that there have been previous guitars with individual phase switches, is that correct? Sure. As well as the pickups.
But the Red Special setup combines all that and more, and it's no small thing to put that together in that style of a body, with that kind of headstock. Without everyone being aware of these innovations on a large scale, you won't see, for example, an Epiphone BHM or the like. And I think there should be even cheaper lines of BHM-style guitars.
So I guess my suspicion is that BM guitars, as it stands now, with its lack of worldwide distribution and no sales force, means a bit of a retreat from the initial ambition the Burns collaboration represents. I'm sure they will be good guitars, but the Burns were really good, and there won't be a better way of spreading the word. I think Microwave may be thinking in terms of the real "star" model guitars -- Eric Johnson, Clapton, Vai -- whose model guitars cost upwards of 1500 USD or more.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I think the jury is still out on the Brian May Guitars; that's my main point. My Burns is fantastic, it plays great.[/QUOTE]
The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will.
I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely.
And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns.
Adam.[/QUOTE]
I don't doubt you for a minute - but has anyone done A/B tests of these, so we can hear them one after the other and get a feel for the sound?
I mean.... if the newer models are simply nicer to play, that's a different kettle of fish entirely :P But I would like to hear someone who knows a bit, testing the sound as well. Because I'd totally hand my Burns in (sentimentality aside) for something a bit better.
The new guitars from BMG are doing well by people I've heard on the RS forums. I've had two burns, each a year apart (2004 and 2005) and they don't compare to my 2006 model under the -redesign- if you will.
I just sold that Burns actually. I liked it a lot for a while, but when my 2006 BHM came back, I could really hear and feel the differences. This is why I believe the post 2006 relaunch models are better. They've been tweaked very nicely.
And overall the 2006 model's sound really shines in any possible way you take it. Something I couldn't do with the Burns.
Adam.[/QUOTE]
I don't doubt you for a minute - but has anyone done A/B tests of these, so we can hear them one after the other and get a feel for the sound?
I mean.... if the newer models are simply nicer to play, that's a different kettle of fish entirely :P But I would like to hear someone who knows a bit, testing the sound as well. Because I'd totally hand my Burns in (sentimentality aside) for something a bit better.
As far as I know, no, there are no proper A/B tests. Unfortunately I never recorded my Burns at all, only my red. And if anyone mentions the 2001 Guitarist recording against the 2006 one, it's a rubbish test of the 2006 BHM. What happened to Guitarist? The 2001 review was really good, even if you took away Brian's bits. And now the two Brian related products I've heard this last year have been really badly done. Nowhere near as in-depth as they used to be.
Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with Burns. No idea.
Adam.
Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with Burns. No idea.
Adam.
Cheers Penetration_Guru and YourValentine, very helpful thanks.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with Burns[/QUOTE]
The quality of the Burns guitars does indeed seem to have been a bit inconsistant.. I remember on Brian's soapbox a few months someone asked him about how good the Burns BMs are and he's like "Oh, some of the better ones are okay". Which is basically admitting they weren't all equally good..
Mine's a 2003, seems to be one of the better ones.. perhaps the decline started after this...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Adam Baboolal wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Anyway, the Burns. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when the Burns guitars were actually more like how they are now. I think after a period of time they started to decline. Don't know when. I wonder if this is why they split with Burns[/QUOTE]
The quality of the Burns guitars does indeed seem to have been a bit inconsistant.. I remember on Brian's soapbox a few months someone asked him about how good the Burns BMs are and he's like "Oh, some of the better ones are okay". Which is basically admitting they weren't all equally good..
Mine's a 2003, seems to be one of the better ones.. perhaps the decline started after this...
I have no clue when mine is from. It's got 4445 written on it.
I dunno... I can only go by the playability and the sounds I enjoy getting out of it - keeping in mind, I only play Queen on this guitar when it's requested!! I didn't get it to play Queen, I got it to try new things.
I'm happy with my Burns :)
I dunno... I can only go by the playability and the sounds I enjoy getting out of it - keeping in mind, I only play Queen on this guitar when it's requested!! I didn't get it to play Queen, I got it to try new things.
I'm happy with my Burns :)
I personally like the BM concept as a model of guitar in its own right rather than as a means of imitating Brian.
And I think Brian is now actually trying to launch the Brian May as just that, a model in its own right (just like a Les Paul; no-one buys one to sound like the guitarist Les Paul who originally endorsed and gave his name to it, they buy one because they like that model of guitar). That's why Brian's having it produced in such a wide range of un-Brian-like colours and fittings. Possibly it's why he split from Burns in the first place (other than the mentioned quality control problems). The Burns model was about giving buyers the chance to own the same guitar as Brian May, as used in Queen... Whereas Brian's new operation is about launching the guitar as a credible model that anyone might buy, just as they might buy a Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul or whatever else.
That's my theory anyway.
And I think Brian is now actually trying to launch the Brian May as just that, a model in its own right (just like a Les Paul; no-one buys one to sound like the guitarist Les Paul who originally endorsed and gave his name to it, they buy one because they like that model of guitar). That's why Brian's having it produced in such a wide range of un-Brian-like colours and fittings. Possibly it's why he split from Burns in the first place (other than the mentioned quality control problems). The Burns model was about giving buyers the chance to own the same guitar as Brian May, as used in Queen... Whereas Brian's new operation is about launching the guitar as a credible model that anyone might buy, just as they might buy a Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul or whatever else.
That's my theory anyway.
Just read that they changed factories for better build quality. Well...there ya go.
Adam.
Adam.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Oh please, Microwave! Behave! And give me your gear! :)
If you have a 3,000-dollar guitar, why don't you just say it?
[/QUOTE]
Currently I'm playing an Eric Johnson strat, which I picked up new for $1100 at the Dallas Guitar Show. And what a deal it was!!!! You can get 'em for about $1500 Personally I think it plays superior to the more expensive Clapton model. I also play a Ric 330. My Guild doesn't usually leave the house. My Burns is long gone... good riddance. Maybe I had the "bad one" :)
I am also selling my '03 Paul Reed Smith Custom 22. Paua bird inlays, rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid Paua signature, gold hardware, leather hardshell case, Carved artist grade quilted maple better than a 10 top, comes with mahogany back, Dragon II treble and bass pickups with covers.
I have a 1973 Vox AC30 which I have never had problem one with. Also a Marshall 2X12 combo. That's it. No need for more.
I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday.
If you have a 3,000-dollar guitar, why don't you just say it?
[/QUOTE]
Currently I'm playing an Eric Johnson strat, which I picked up new for $1100 at the Dallas Guitar Show. And what a deal it was!!!! You can get 'em for about $1500 Personally I think it plays superior to the more expensive Clapton model. I also play a Ric 330. My Guild doesn't usually leave the house. My Burns is long gone... good riddance. Maybe I had the "bad one" :)
I am also selling my '03 Paul Reed Smith Custom 22. Paua bird inlays, rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid Paua signature, gold hardware, leather hardshell case, Carved artist grade quilted maple better than a 10 top, comes with mahogany back, Dragon II treble and bass pickups with covers.
I have a 1973 Vox AC30 which I have never had problem one with. Also a Marshall 2X12 combo. That's it. No need for more.
I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Micrówave wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday.[/QUOTE]
I think your British made AC-30 will blow anyones AC-30BM away. They don't make them like they used to.
I'd put my AC up against those new BM versions anyday.[/QUOTE]
I think your British made AC-30 will blow anyones AC-30BM away. They don't make them like they used to.
I have only played an AC30 a couple times, when a maniac gearhead friend had a purple 60s model that was worth, oh, several internal organs. And a couple of trashed-out ones in rehearsal spaces in Manhattan. But safe to say they're great.
I have had a couple of tube amps, and yes, they're great. Have you ever transported one in a taxi? Not really taxi-friendly. I like my Line 6 just fine for gigging out nowadays. It pretty much stomps.
Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said.
I have had a couple of tube amps, and yes, they're great. Have you ever transported one in a taxi? Not really taxi-friendly. I like my Line 6 just fine for gigging out nowadays. It pretty much stomps.
Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said.
"I have had a couple of tube amps, and yes, they're great."
Oh man... having spent the first 10 years of my guitar life playing a 2nd hand transistor amp, and then getting my first valve amp... it was like going from black-and-white to colour.
Oh man... having spent the first 10 years of my guitar life playing a 2nd hand transistor amp, and then getting my first valve amp... it was like going from black-and-white to colour.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said.[/QUOTE]
No!!!! Not another "budget" Brian May guitar. That's what started my whole irritation in the first place. He keeps endorsing a guitar claiming it's better than the last one.
I just want the truth!
Having 1100-dollar guitars is a pleasure everyone should have. I do think, however, it would be nice to get an Epiphone Brian May going, as someone else said.[/QUOTE]
No!!!! Not another "budget" Brian May guitar. That's what started my whole irritation in the first place. He keeps endorsing a guitar claiming it's better than the last one.
I just want the truth!
The truth is elusive. I picked up a Burns in a shop, hearing that it was superior to a Guild. It looked horribly cheap, felt odd and I'd assume played worse. I still don't see how a "budget" guitar costing $800 in 2004 could be a better instrument than something that was $1200 at release 20 years ago. Surely wages, R & D, parts, hardware etc. had all increased in the 20 years since the Guild release. When the Guild first came out, the reviews were awesome, and I think Musician or Guitar Player called it the best made rock guitar to "come down the pipe in a long time." It was worth the $1200. Still don't see how the Burns can compare.