Brian May is an English musician best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the English rock band Queen. As a guitarist, he's known for his memorable riffs and solos, distinctive tone, as well as for the fact that he built (with his father) his own guitar, called the "Red Special". He is also cited as a pioneer of the delay effect. An interesting fact is that he also has had a long term interest in astrophysics, having recently completed his doctoral thesis in the subject. He received his PhD in Astrophysics.

Let's look at what gear and equipment has been seen in Brian May's Guitar Rig! 

Click the gear images for more info and specs at Musician's Friend

Guitars and other instruments

- The Red Special guitar (this has been his main guitar)

- Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (as a backup during the early tours)

- Gibson Flying V (spare during Hot Space tour)

- Fender Telecaster

- Ibanez JS
- Greco BM90
- Parker Fly

- Ovation 12 string acoustics

- Martin Acoustic guitars

- Gibson Chet Atkins nylon guitar
- Aloha Ukulele
- Yamaha DX7 keyboard


Amplifiers
- Vox Custom Classic AC30BM Brian May Signature 30w 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

- Deacy amp (reproduced by Vox as the "Brian May Special")


Effects
- Boss Chorus Ensemble CE-1 (from the 70's) - now CE-5

- Foxx Foot Phaser
- Wah Wah pedal

- Brian May Treble Booster (pictured below is the BBE Treble Booster)

- Brian May Digitech Artist Series pedal. - You WANT this pedal . It has all the Queen effects and settings built in!

- Sennheiser wireless system
- VCA Control pedal
- Mike Hill custom-made rack-mount loop switcher
- TC Electronic G-Force

- Rocktron Intellifex XL
- Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere

Interesting Fact: Brian May uses a English Sixpence from the 60's as his guitar pick. He also has custom Brian May Optima strings that are 24 karat gold plated.