The World's Greatest Guitar

What do motorcycle valve springs, a knitting needle end and a fireplace have in common?
Still no idea?

Well it's to do with a hand made guitar.

I'm sure that there are many of these out there, but it's doubtful that any are as famous as this one.

This is the Red Special as designed and made by Brian May and his father.

It was started in 1963 when Brian was sixteen and has gone on to win Brian's fans over time and time again.

There are a lot of things this guitar has that many others... no scratch that, this guitar is unique.

It was made from an old oak fire place surround that friends were throwing out. Its tremolo arm was made from valve springs from an old motorbike and the end of the arm was made from a knitting needle end.

There are many things that Brian did to this that no other guitar has and that's what has made this so identifiable as soon as he starts playing it.

"The guitar was my weapon, my shield to hide behind." - Brian May