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Brian May Signature Guitar – In/Out Phase Settings Explained


In/Out of Phase settings are a feature on the Brian May replica guitar.

All the pickups are able to be turned on or off.
A few people have asked about the in and out of phase switches.

Brian May Burns Manual http://www.brianmay.com/library/burbm_manual.pdf

At least two pickups need to be turned on to set them out of phase with each other. As long as one is and the other down (doesn’t matter which combination) they will be out of phase with each other. Creating a trebley tone.

Altogether there is 26 combinations creating a whole array of different sounds.

Brian May, the lead guitarist of Queen, is known for his signature sound that he achieved through his homemade Red Special guitar and unique playing style. One of the features of his guitar is the “in and out of phase” switch.

The in and out of phase switch alters the wiring of the guitar’s pickups and produces a different sound. When the switch is in the “in phase” position, the two pickups work together, producing a rich and full sound. When the switch is in the “out of phase” position, the pickups work against each other, producing a thinner and nasal sound.

May takes advantage of the in and out of phase switch to create a wide range of sounds. He often uses the switch to create a “quacky” or “honky” sound for his solos and riffs, as well as a more traditional and warm sound for rhythm playing. The switch can also be used to create a “phase cancellation” effect when combined with other effects pedals.

In summary, the in and out of phase switch gives Brian May a unique and versatile sound, and is an important part of his iconic guitar tone.

check this guide for list of different sounds http://www.mikeryde.com/switch.html

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#Brian #Signature #Guitar #InOut #Phase #Settings #Explained

Originally posted by UCQYskKOAwn79enMispbgh_w at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K8tl0OvteY

40 thoughts on “Brian May Signature Guitar – In/Out Phase Settings Explained

  • I recently got my Brian Mays Guitar (tangerine) love it. But was unclear on using the in/out of phase. Thank you for the video.

    Reply
  • Hey James, when, let's say the bridge and middle pickups are selected and both put out of phase, does it sound normal? How about 2 out of phase when using all 3 pickups?

    Reply
  • As of 12 October, 2023, I have turned my attention to the BMG Metal May. Not because Iā€™m a ā€œmetalheadā€ per se, but because itā€™s a Special thatā€™s not as easily mistakable for a Brian model. Any thoughts, James?

    Reply
  • Hi James
    What selection do you think he uses in Days of our Lives solo (1st part)? Thanks

    Reply
  • really what a useless video, you couldn't bother to play the same thing with two different settings? also, what about clean tones? Or is that not possible on that guitar. Thanks for wasting our time.

    Reply
  • Kind of useless demo when you're not doing direct A/B comparisons. I mean, I appreciate your effort.

    Reply
  • to change the phase am I correct in thinking the switch changes the pickups from being connected in series to beingĀ  connected in parallel

    Reply
  • thank you for the best swell sounds! . . sigur ros included! . . what is your volume-pedal order? (anyone??)

    Reply
  • Very interesting, I always wondered how Brian got that unique sound out of his guitar, I always thought it was something he did with the amp.

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  • You can produce the same selections with only three switches… DPDTs with center off. I get 'em at Radio Shack cheap. Modifying one of my fakestrats {funky weird Epiphone with a POS 5-way} to three toggles instead of the 5-way. More voices than stock.
    HAPPY SOLDERING !!!

    Reply
  • When out of phase, you get a lot of hum. Is that just because you are so close to the amp or does it hum regardless?

    Reply
  • Great playing ! Nicely explained ! But man you look sooooo serious !! LOL ! Like given !

    Reply
  • just put a deposit down on a red special and pick it up Friday can't wait. great video on pickup tutorial

    Reply
  • Hi, I have a technical question… I own an Harley Benton BM70 and the Digitech pedal. I tried the guitar without the pedal and I could set many tones with just guitar+amplificator (following the Guild manual). Are they correct?

    Because with the pedal connected the switch settings don't work. For example if I want to play the Deacy tone with the pedal what pickup setting I put on the guitar? Or it's indifferent?

    Reply
  • I only count 13 combinations. What are the other 13?

    B
    M
    N

    B+M
    B+N
    M+N
    B+M+N

    B+M (OoP)
    B+N (OoP)
    M+N (OoP)

    B+M+N (B OoP)
    B+M+N (M OoP)
    B+M+N (N OoP)

    Reply
  • When selecting the pickups to our of phase you should've played the same thing that you did before you put them out of phase to hear a real comparison

    Reply
  • Hi thank you again..I was surfing on youtube and it seems that the Brian May pedal of Digitech could help a lot…I had a look but it seems very difficult to find it nowadays, I do not think is any more in production…

    Reply

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