In one of the most heartfelt moments of the year for rock music fans, Queen guitarist Brian May has gifted his longtime friend Tony Iommi — the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath — a custom-built, left-handed replica of May’s iconic Red Special guitar. The story isn’t just about a guitar; it’s about decades of friendship, musical influence, and the deep respect shared between two of rock’s most celebrated guitarists.
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🎁 The Story Behind the Gift
In December 2025, Brian May revealed that he had commissioned a one-of-a-kind Red Special replica specifically tailored for Tony Iommi. The guitar isn’t just any copy — it’s a left-handed version (important because Iommi himself is a lefty) and was two years in the making.
The instrument was crafted by master luthier Andrew Guyton, a builder known for his deep knowledge of May’s original Red Special and his attention to detail. Rather than just copy May’s guitar, Guyton and May chose to blend elements of May’s famous design with features inspired by Iommi’s own guitar preferences — creating something truly unique for the Black Sabbath legend.
🎸 What Makes This Guitar Special?
The new guitar keeps many of the classic elements that make Brian May’s original Red Special so beloved:
Vintage-style construction: This reflects the way May and his father originally built the Red Special in the early 1960s.
Classic electronics and pickups: Designed to deliver that rich, warm tone associated with May’s recordings.
Built-in treble booster: A nod to a device both guitarists have used for decades to shape their signature tone.
But what makes this guitar especially personal for Iommi is its neck profile, which was modeled after his own famous guitar known as the Jaydee “Old Boy” SG. This isn’t just a cool technical tweak — it’s a gesture that shows May really thought about how Iommi plays, not just what he plays.
Guitar World
🤝 A Friendship Spanning Decades
Brian May and Tony Iommi first connected in the early 1970s, a time before either Queen or Black Sabbath had become the household names they are today. Over the years, they shared stages, swapped guitar stories, and supported each other’s music, even when their careers took them in very different directions.
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Iommi took to social media after receiving the guitar to express his gratitude, calling it “a true gift” and reminiscing about the time and care that went into its creation. Many fans have called it an “early Christmas present,” a beautiful moment of holiday spirit between two friends who have helped define rock music for generations.
🎶 Why This Matters to Music Fans
This gift resonates far beyond the guitar world for a few key reasons:
Celebrates mutual respect: May and Iommi didn’t need a public moment — they chose to share this privately meaningful event with fans.
Shows the human side of rock icons: These are legends who have inspired millions, but here they are showing affection like friends and peers.
Sparked fan curiosity about future collaborations: Fans have long wondered if May and Iommi might record music together again — and this gesture has reignited that hope.
🪕 A Reminder of What Rock ‘n’ Roll Is About
At its core, this story isn’t just about a guitar. It’s about friendship, respect, and the passion that drives artists to celebrate each other’s work. Brian May’s gift to Tony Iommi reminds us that even after more than 50 years in music, the heart of rock is still about connection — between musicians, their instruments, and the fans who listen.
Whether you’re a guitarist dreaming of your next riff or a fan who loves the stories behind the music, this special moment is a reminder that great music isn’t just played — it’s shared.