That article about Brian buying a seat for his guitar is sure making the rounds. But I always assumed it flew with him in the cabin? Why on earth would anyone think it was put with luggage? I can't be the only one that thought that, right? Can you imagine if it ever got lost?!
It is the Stradivarius of guitars -- an instrument that cannot be replaced. Can you imagine putting it in the cargohold!!! I think it is ridiculous that this was Brian's only option.
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Brian's guitar tech, Pete, is responsible for the Red Special and travels with it. He has worked for Brian for years. I got the chance to speak with him during the tour and learned a lot about the Red Special and Brian's other guitars.
> The Red Special stays with Pete, no Brian. It's been that way for about 20 years.
> The Red Special is not insured and is not replaceable. There are copies but they are not the same. There is something different about the Red Special.
> I ask, "What if something happens to the Red Special?" And was told, "Don't ask. Don't even think of it."
> Yes, they really call it the "Fireplace" and "the Old Lady". I know that the neck is made from an old fireplace mantle. And guitar's are often call she. But I thought these nicknames might be fan legend. They are not.
> No, I could no touch the Red Special. But I asked!
I did get to look at it up close. It is beautiful but does not look like the world's most special guitar.
The Red Special seem to be to be like a super hero item. I don't think Brian is Brian without it. But it is not the only guitar he plays and he had one other super cool guitar on tour -- the custom made guitar he played on CLTCL. Here are some of the other guitars he's played - there are many, many more:
RecordingHairfred acoustic - used for early acoustic work, e.g. White Queen, Jealousy and The Prophet's Song
Fender Telecaster - used for the solo on Crazy Little Thing Called Love. This was a natural wood Tele belonging to Roger Taylor
Ibanez Joe Satriani - Nothin but Blue. This guitar was given to Brian by Joe Satriani at the Guitar Legends concert in Seville, 1991.
Parker Fly - Mother Love
Burns Double Six - Long Away
Ovation acoustics - Brian has used 12-string Ovation acoustic guitars on many recordings.
Martin D18 Dreadnought - another of Brian's favorite acoustics and on many recordings.Gibson Chet Atkins CE - used for Is this the World we Created and Innuendo
LiveFender Stratocaster - used for 1972-1973 tours
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe - (sunburst) 1974-1975
John Birch Brian May guitar - 1975-1982
Gibson 'The V' (Flying Vee) - (tobacco sunburst) 1984
Guild Brian May - 1985-1997
Fryer Brian May - 1998 onwards
And in honor (or should that be honour?) of the Red Special's escape from cargo....one of my favorite YouTube videos:
United Breaks Guitars youtu.be/5YGc4zOqozo
Poor Minnesota....winter storm heading your way for Monday! Yikes!!
Roger Plant turned down to tour with a reformed Led Zeppelin! 
I did get to look at it up close. It is beautiful but does not look like the world's most special guitar.
