Brian May Guitars announces signature guitar for Arielle

Brian May Guitars has announced a new electric guitar for 2021, a signature model made in collaboration with guitarist and singer-songwriter Arielle.

The guitar itself sports a unique offset look, with a raised centre-strip and two-tone finish. Construction consists of a Korina/Limba body, with a set 24-fret “modern radius” one-piece mahogany neck.

The Arielle’s scale length is 24 inches: the same as found on the original Red Special, a full three-quarters of an inch shorter than a standard Gibson scale length guitar.

Hardware comes in the form of a chrome-finished Wilkinson two-point tremolo, plus Grover 406 Series Mini Locking Rotomatic tuners. The Wilkinson Tremolo features six individual saddles, as well as a low-profile surround that eliminates the possibility of horizontal saddle movement.

Electronics consist of May’s Tri-Sonic single-coils, as well as the same phase-switching system that’s found on the red special. This system sports six DPDT switches that allow each pickup to be engaged and have its phase reversed independently. There’s also a master volume and tone control, with the latter using a Sprague 0.033μF Orange Drop capacitor.

May said of the new model’s introduction: “This is the very first guitar that Brian May Guitars has ever offered that is not based on my original Red Special. Designed by, and named after, Arielle, it’s a new dimension. To understand why this guitar was irresistible to me, you have to hold her in your hands. She’s light, smooth, agile, and… she sings like a bird!”

Alongside the launch of Arielle’s signature guitar, she’s also announced her ninth studio album, Analog Girl In A Digital World. The record will arrive on 7 May 2021, with the first single Peace Of Mind arriving 12 February. The album can be preordered here.

The guitar will be available 28 March 2021, and lists for £795. Find out more at shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk.

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