Queen’s Brian May has gifted Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi a customized left-handed replica of his iconic Red Special guitar. The instrument, which Iommi showed off in an Instagram photo, was meticulously crafted over two years by master builder Andrew Guyton to match the Sabbath guitarist’s Jaydee Old Boy neck and replicate the original’s vintage tone with authentic pickups and a built-in treble booster. The original Red Special, famously built by May and his father in the 1960s from mahogany and oak, defined Queen’s sound for decades. “Huge thanks to my best friend @brianmayforreal and master builder Andrew Guyton @guyton_guitars for this incredible left-handed Red Special replica,” Iommi wrote, while adding that it was “a true gift from Brian, two years in the making. Christmas came early! 🎸🎄” Earlier this year, May also collaborated with Gibson to release a limited-edition 12-string acoustic guitar, the Brian May SJ-200. (NME)
