When more than one pickup is active the resultant tone is more akin to that of a humbucker, with considerably more warmth and gain than a traditional parallel wired single-coil arrangement. The three pickups are wired in series for increased output and a fuller signal. In combination with the orientation of their isotropic ceramic magnets and the unique manner in which the coils are wound, such pickups produce a distinctive “big, round sound” with a richer harmonic content than any conventionally wound pickup. These are modern replicas of the Burns Tri-Sonics that Brian and his father installed on the Red Special and, whilst there are some technical differences (their impedance is noticeably higher) they produce a faithfully accurate reproduction of the original tone.įirst developed for use on Ormston Burns guitars in 1960, The term 'Tri-Sonic' derives from the fact that the unit picks up sound from three points - the top and both sides - meaning that the vibration of the strings is sampled from a longer than usual length. The BMG Special features three BM brand Tri-Sonic style single-coil pickups. The general information here on pickup configuration, switch settings and set-up also applies to the more accurate, custom built BMG SUPER model.Īnother great source of information is the RED SPECIAL FORUM, a lively, sometimes controversial, community group whose members share news, advice and opinion on a dizzying array of topics from sounds, set-ups, pickups and amps to repairs, replacement parts, and conversions.

Here is a guide to the principal features of the BMG Special that we trust will help you well on the way to gettting the very best from your instrument in any performance environment.

Consequently, House Music has fielded a wealth of questions regarding the Brian May Guitars range - everything from set-up, maintenance and switch orientation to the various amplifiers and effects units that Brian employs to achieve his distinctive sound. Since the launch of the original, super-affordable Brian May Guitars Special, the unique configuration of Brian's original instrument has become available to musicians all over the World.

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