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Red Special » Making » Materials » Metal

The metal for Brian May's Red Special

Knobs

The types of knobs required for this project are simply for cosmetic reasons. There are no reasons why you should not want to choose any other type of knob, or any knobs that you can lay your hands on. I managed to find a knob that was similar to the original without me having to create my own. The company is called Highly Strung International, and the knobs in question are here, product code KB5.

Tremolo

If you are building your own tremolo system then you will need the following items:
Compression Springs (x2)
Bolts (x2)
Washers (x2)
10mm thick mild steel
3mm thick stainless steel
5mm stainless steel rod
Brass rod (15mm)

Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful in finding somehwere that you can purchase all the necessary parts for creating the tremelo system. Luckily for me though I work somewhere that I can get the main parts myself. They themselves get the parts from a local 'works' as off-cuts. Sorry. I have found people selling all these metals on eBay, but they come in full size as appose to 'off cuts'.

Bridge

Each section of the bridge is made up of three parts: the holder, the roller, and the axel. The holder is made from aluminium, the roller from stainless steel rod, and the axel simply has to be strong enough but small enough to fit through the hole of the roller and the slots in the holder. Once again I will be getting these parts from where I work so I do not have any contacts for where to get these types of materials. Your local hardware shop should stock some items.

Strap buttons

The strap buttons are very simple and can either be purchased from Highly Strung International or created on a lathe from either aluminium or stainless steel.

Truss rod

The truss is another item that can be either purchase or create manually. To purchase a standard truss rod 'kit' then visit StewMac (you will need the additional thread cutting die). To create your own you will need a 6mm, preferably threaded, stainless steel rod, a 6mm nut, and a washer.

Frets

Fret wire can be simply purchased from either your local music shop or Highly Strung International, product code FW2.

Machine heads

The machine heads can be simply purchased from your local music shop or Highly Strung International. Remember that you will need to order 3x left and 3x right. There are also different size buttons you can choose from. I purchased ones with large button but there are no specific requirements.

Pickup covers

If you cannot afford the Tri-Sonic pickups to create this guitar then I suggest you purchase the simple single coil pickups with chrome plated(coloured) covers. You can purchase the chrome plated pickup covers from Axesrus.

Page updated: Wednesday, December 5th 2007, 8:58 pm