I can't find proper words to express how much I admire this man's creativity and dedication. How amazing is that: the most enduring pieces of rock music are played by a guitar, which was made out of knitting needles and bike springs.
The best guitarist in the world. And not just based on his guitar playing and song writing though he is genius. But him as a good hearted person and how smart and incredibly intelligent he is.
Not enough space on RUclips for me to type all the great things I can say about this man. He LITERALLY changed my life. The MOMENT i heard "We Will Rock You" I KNEW that's what I want to do for the rest of my life - play guitar. And I am doing it, and I'll do it til the day I die. I have a beautiful letter from Brian himself complimenting me on my playing. No matter what else happens in my life, it is complete and full-circle thanks to this wonderful musician. I thank God for Brian May.
What he did with his Dad all those years ago was pretty incredible. He designed it to be able to turn on or off any pickup in or out of phase. Such control. Most modern guitars don't have such control. And his trem system is genius. Rolling tuners is a very common upgrade today. Truly a work of art. Brian May, DIY God.
Every time I see him talk about this axe..his love for his father shines through..He was a lucky guy in more ways than one..im sure he would agree..a great story...Thanks
Thinking that Brian might find it a crime that she'd never get played again if she was in a museum, and that she really does belong with him in the afterlife - like a warrior being buried with his sword and shield. Who knows - he might need her again. They are really an extension and a part of each other.
This is my favourite quote: we don't compete with each other. He is not just a unique player but a uniquely intelligent person as well. It is an honor to listen when he speaks or plays.
The amazing ingenuity of this man, and his reasoning behind making the instrument. . . and his genuineness. . . it's beautiful. When talked about how he wanted his guitar to be alive and talk with the air, I honestly felt like crying tears of joy. And he's got a good sense of humor, to boot.
Just an absolute class act guy. Brian May is truly one of the most clever people on the planet. And definitely one of the finest guitarist to ever pick up the instrument. It's not often some ones playing can be recognized with just one note. That happens when you hear him.
Even now, that is undoubtedly the most precious, unique and important guitars in the history of Rock and Roll. I am sure when Mr. May passes on if it is not buried with him it will be a centerpiece in a museum.
It's interesting hearing how his guitar was made by him and his father, we all knew that it was made by them, but not how. I have always admired Brian May, not as the great lead-player (which he of course is), but as the great rhythm-player. There's probably no rhythm player as interesting anywhere else, just listen to the old queen albums. Lots of respect to the dude, both for his lead and rhythm playing and for his building-skills.
Had to be the greatest project with your father building such an instrument. All the unique parts that were drafted in a now known monster ax. The phasing switches were genius at that time. Think of peter green to gary moore reversing the neck humbucker for good reason.
I love his tone. I've never heard another guitarist with a better sound. He doesn't play fast, but in some songs you know he's bloody well capable of it! His solos match the songs amazingly, and it's great that he can make a show stopping solo without having to play as fast as lightning. P.S I'm not saying he's the best, as this is only my opinion, and everyone is entitled to one.
I can't afford an electric guitar even though I would very much like to own one and watching this I now feel inspired to go make my own electric guitar. I suppose it would take a huge amount of skill and expertise in electronics and whatnot, but I have to admit the idea has formed in my head and it won't go away. Thank you, Dr Brian May.
For a guitar built so long ago by someone with no Luthiery skills is amazing. The fact that it's been a professional instrument for almost 50yrs, making a unique instantly recognized sound is even more amazing. It's shape is so unique. EVH built his guitar out of bits he scavenged, but nothing like this. Brian Mays mass produced guitars are extremely well made & affordable. Quite a feat & very generous of him.
I wish all the people on youtube or just in the music community in general felt that music is not a competition. I've always thought it is something to be shared and enjoyed. Not to try to elevate yourself over someone else. Pull them up with you!
Brian is a god! not only because he is awesome guitar player, but because he has a stage presense like no one else. And he is such a calm down to earth person i would love to meet him sometime :)
I met Brian four or five years ago and spent the day with him filming a documentary about Bohemian Rhapsody. He'd been my hero since my teens and I'd memorised every single note of his truly superb solos. As you'd expect, as a humble soundman, I worked harder than ever to ensure the finest job I could do for such a landmark musical moment (at least in my life). Sadly tho' Brian decided I was taking too long, and so spoke to me as if I were something unsavoury on his shoe. Nice guy...
I always did like Brians guitar playing, but my respect for him has just soared watching this, home made guitar? I never knew...and what a nice bloke! I once had the pleasure to work with his wife, making a movie.
It's the same live version of DRIVEN BY YOU, with the legendary Cozy Powell on drums (R.I.P.). You can find it here on youtube under the heading "BRIAN MAY: Driven By You" - there are many versions, but you'll find THAT version if you look for THAT combination of caps and lowers in the title.
@TheXXXDB It's the Tri-Sonic pick-ups that Brian and his dad got from an old Burns guitar that are wired in series, with the middle being reverse wound because Brian wanted the pick-ups to feedback into each other to give a fuller and stronger sound and tone, that's why the body of the guitar is hollowed out in the same was as a Gibson 335 Semi-acoustic, but without the soundholes in the oak top. On top of that, Brian still uses the same original VOX AC30 amps that he used in Queen.
I just saw a website filled with arseholes slandering May, calling him Satanist, narcisist and they claim that he forced Freddie to play in Queen, they claim he loves killing animals and watch them suffer.. i mean come on, fuck that for a game of soldiers, Brian is one of the most kind-hearted people in the world..
Fireplace for the neck, part of an Oak table to hold the strain, block board for the body, piece that holds up the saddle bag on a bike, piece of my mother's knitting needle, springs from a motorbike and self carved steel, design your own bridge rollers with no friction... Six strings and you will become a part of ROCK history Pretty simple really..ahhaahh Love these stories.. Like the old Blues masters before it became cool where they made their instruments.We know how that worked out..
I knew he was a brilliant guitar player but he built his guitar with his dad out of scrap! I am amazed. I now have a new respect for this bloke and I promise to learn some of his stuff to play on my Gibson factory built guitar. He built his guitar! oh my god.
You really have to admire and respect a guy who spends 2 years making a guitar with his dad, as a poor kid, and though he has made millions over the years, sticks to that one special instrument. It also serves a good lesson to every kid out there who begs their parents to "buy" them a guitar etc....build it- earn it- respect it!
I'm not a huge Brian May Fan...not saying that he is not a genius in his own right and one of the most iconic rock and Roll guitarists in history, Queen has just never been my cup of tea, however i must say that the construction of a guitar like this is really amazing and to then become one of the worlds most recognized musicians/guitarists is just unreal..I mean what are the odds of this happening? truly amazing story and what a great individual he is. Queen was and is a great band. Miraculous!
I've always had huge respect for Brian, and Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck. They're so damn normal. They come from an era in which you build your own stuff, my era actually.
@lebrontravelled No. The tremolo has been around since the Stratocaster first launched. He was referring to the fact that at that time, there weren't any after-market tremolos to purchase and install like there are today.
brian may was always been my look up to guitar hero up until now, and for all you know his not underrated, his an epic... too much love will kill you is dedicated to his friend and band mate Ferdy mercury...
I can't find proper words to express how much I admire this man's creativity and dedication. How amazing is that: the most enduring pieces of rock music are played by a guitar, which was made out of knitting needles and bike springs.
This guitar is not just a simple musical instrument: it is a love proof, by his father, and talent, by Mr. May.
"It's the nice thing about guitar players, I don't find that anybody feels very competitive"
...and then along came RUclips.
Dan Harris
Just what I was thinking….
Um, no
The best guitarist in the world. And not just based on his guitar playing and song writing though he is genius. But him as a good hearted person and how smart and incredibly intelligent he is.
can't be sold in an auction because it's priceless. it belongs in a museum.
opsimathics nah it belongs with the may family
Yes!!!
Museums are for dead shit. That guitar will live forever.
Brian would sooner give it to someone who would actually play it, not a museum.
Such a likeable man, him and his dad are such geniuses for creating such a great instrument.
Not enough space on RUclips for me to type all the great things I can say about this man. He LITERALLY changed my life.
The MOMENT i heard "We Will Rock You" I KNEW that's what I want to do for the rest of my life - play guitar. And I am doing it, and I'll do it til the day I die.
I have a beautiful letter from Brian himself complimenting me on my playing. No matter what else happens in my life, it is complete and full-circle thanks to this wonderful musician. I thank God for Brian May.
"Yeah I sleep with this-- never mind" lol
No way
What he did with his Dad all those years ago was pretty incredible. He designed it to be able to turn on or off any pickup in or out of phase. Such control. Most modern guitars don't have such control. And his trem system is genius. Rolling tuners is a very common upgrade today. Truly a work of art. Brian May, DIY God.
best hand made guitar ever
not even by a long shot, if anything it's just proof that the guitar doesn't make the player, though.
+iamrichlol Explain how it isn't!
Most famous.
It definitely was ahead of its time.
It certainly made him a very Wealthy man..
Would he be as profligate if he had bought a Hofner or Burns in 1963?
I'm 11 and look up to him but this has made me like him so much more this is a beautiful story I really want to be a musician
I hope you achieve your dream. You have a great role model in Brian May.
@@jedbevdis66 I agree.
Are you a musician yet? :o
I never tire of Brian talking about the Red Special.
Brian + Red Special = True Love
R E better love story than twilight
Every time I see him talk about this axe..his love for his father shines through..He was a lucky guy in more ways than one..im sure he would agree..a great story...Thanks
I admire Brian May so much... He's just AMAZING. Brian May and Alex Lifeson are the most impressive and heart melting guitarists (FOR ME). ❤🔥
Almost certainly the most valuable guitar in the world if it ever sold at auction.
When he passes (hopefully not soon) they should either give it to his family or a museum but if they do put it in display it better be a big one haha
Yes , either give it to his family or bury him with it it's kinda seems wrong to sell it at auction
Thinking that Brian might find it a crime that she'd never get played again if she was in a museum, and that she really does belong with him in the afterlife - like a warrior being buried with his sword and shield. Who knows - he might need her again. They are really an extension and a part of each other.
The man is a genius. Thank the Lord (and his folks) for giving us Brian May.
For me he is just a legend and truly amazing guitarist.
Holy shit...he's brilliant
you love the sound of the guitar. we love the sound you make with the guitar. RIP Freddie.
1999
being able play and being able to build are two separate and complementary skills. It's great to see them combined so well.
Thats amazing. The relationship to his guitar must be deeper than a father-son relationship.
This is my favourite quote: we don't compete with each other.
He is not just a unique player but a uniquely intelligent person as well. It is an honor to listen when he speaks or plays.
Brian May, a legend
"I'm still a kid." - Brian May at 40 years old.
Of course You are😭 love you
What a great video. Loved to watch it. Brian has a refreshing honesty and decency. Rock !!!
Happy Bday Brian. Great Guitarist, Great Mind, Unique sound and style.
The amazing ingenuity of this man, and his reasoning behind making the instrument. . . and his genuineness. . . it's beautiful. When talked about how he wanted his guitar to be alive and talk with the air, I honestly felt like crying tears of joy. And he's got a good sense of humor, to boot.
Dear Brian May,
I can't even wrap my mind around how brillaint and talented you are! You are my guitar hero and so much more!
I have had the honer to meet Dr. May, and he is such a kind man
Just an absolute class act guy. Brian May is truly one of the most clever people on the planet. And definitely one of the finest guitarist to ever pick up the instrument. It's not often some ones playing can be recognized with just one note. That happens when you hear him.
I love that this wonderful man is so humble. What a beautiful, talented, amazing person. And he kicks ASS on the guitar!!!!!
Even now, that is undoubtedly the most precious, unique and important guitars in the history of Rock and Roll. I am sure when Mr. May passes on if it is not buried with him it will be a centerpiece in a museum.
It's interesting hearing how his guitar was made by him and his father, we all knew that it was made by them, but not how.
I have always admired Brian May, not as the great lead-player (which he of course is), but as the great rhythm-player. There's probably no rhythm player as interesting anywhere else, just listen to the old queen albums.
Lots of respect to the dude, both for his lead and rhythm playing and for his building-skills.
I don't build guitars, but I know that feeling when I sew my own shirts and I wear them. It's a whole different level.
Had to be the greatest project with your father building such an instrument. All the unique parts that were drafted in a now known monster ax. The phasing switches were genius at that time. Think of peter green to gary moore reversing the neck humbucker for good reason.
Dr. Brian May, Always!! 💖💖
owh I love this sooo much, love the story, love the output of that nice guitar, love you Briand may you are HERO!
I love his tone. I've never heard another guitarist with a better sound. He doesn't play fast, but in some songs you know he's bloody well capable of it! His solos match the songs amazingly, and it's great that he can make a show stopping solo without having to play as fast as lightning.
P.S I'm not saying he's the best, as this is only my opinion, and everyone is entitled to one.
oh Brian May, you are truly amazing
I can't afford an electric guitar even though I would very much like to own one and watching this I now feel inspired to go make my own electric guitar. I suppose it would take a huge amount of skill and expertise in electronics and whatnot, but I have to admit the idea has formed in my head and it won't go away. Thank you, Dr Brian May.
Brian is truly 1 of a kind! His guitar needless to say the most. All made from scratch. Can not put a price on that PERIOD!
For a guitar built so long ago by someone with no Luthiery skills is amazing. The fact that it's been a professional instrument for almost 50yrs, making a unique instantly recognized sound is even more amazing. It's shape is so unique. EVH built his guitar out of bits he scavenged, but nothing like this. Brian Mays mass produced guitars are extremely well made & affordable. Quite a feat & very generous of him.
I bet it is also because this Guitar will remember him always of his Childhood and his Dad with whom he build this together. Valuable Memories.
I wish all the people on youtube or just in the music community in general felt that music is not a competition. I've always thought it is something to be shared and enjoyed. Not to try to elevate yourself over someone else. Pull them up with you!
"We enjoy the sound and we enjoy each other's playing" very well put Dr. May......
this guy is just one of the reasons i started playing
he is soo amazingly good
He sounds SOOOO british, I love him!
omg. this i legendary. he got his guitar when he was 8 and now he still plays it. 0.0
A great person, an awesome guitar, an awesome astronomy doctor and the guitarman of the best band ever!
A LEGEND
Intelligent, a true artist, a genius and very humble. Salute.
Brian is a god! not only because he is awesome guitar player, but because he has a stage presense like no one else. And he is such a calm down to earth person i would love to meet him sometime :)
1992 was the best year for Brian May
I adore him! He's the most wonderful irresistable guitarist on the planet!
I met Brian four or five years ago and spent the day with him filming a documentary about Bohemian Rhapsody. He'd been my hero since my teens and I'd memorised every single note of his truly superb solos. As you'd expect, as a humble soundman, I worked harder than ever to ensure the finest job I could do for such a landmark musical moment (at least in my life). Sadly tho' Brian decided I was taking too long, and so spoke to me as if I were something unsavoury on his shoe. Nice guy...
Happy Birthday from Brazil!
His Dad gave him a love of science, he carried it forward. Great musician, even greater conveyor of science though music. Thanks Brian.
Brian's version of "Too Much Love Will Kill You" from his solo album "Back To The Light". That guitar solo in the middle is truely beautiful.
My idol!!!! I love you Bri!
THE LEGEND
This is why Brian May deserves the title of guitar hero- not only does he play like a legend but he even built his own guitar. I completely agree
Perfect guitar .
This video has helped complete a section of my Queen fandom. I feel more complete as a Queen fan now :D Thanks for posting this!
Brian's dad sounds like an awesome dude, Brian sure was lucky in that respect.
we all enjoy the sound and we enjoy each others' playing!
so true :)
I always did like Brians guitar playing, but my respect for him has just soared watching this, home made guitar? I never knew...and what a nice bloke!
I once had the pleasure to work with his wife, making a movie.
Brian May is the most down to earth talented rock star ever,the bloked a fucking legend!
may's guitar sound is unmistakable
I have to say, it's wonderful.
Never heard it before, must be one of the songs on his album...
Great story. Thank you Bryan for all your magic solos!
so humble, i love it
What?! I knew he dad that same guitar for years, but didn't know he had made the thing. Jeez. That's just way too cool.
thank you kindly, friend.
brian may is one of the greats and a legend.
what a great interview thanks for posting
It's the same live version of DRIVEN BY YOU, with the legendary Cozy Powell on drums (R.I.P.). You can find it here on youtube under the heading "BRIAN MAY: Driven By You" - there are many versions, but you'll find THAT version if you look for THAT combination of caps and lowers in the title.
Brian is down to earth. I Like him very much.
The Red Special! He built it himself with his dad when he was a teenager! He's Awesome!
"Driven by you" and that clip is form a concert in sevilla in 1992 called "guitar legends", really cool!
I'd love to see another guitar with such cool history.
Brian May is a great person, I'd love to meet him
Good God I love this mans attitude.
@TheXXXDB
It's the Tri-Sonic pick-ups that Brian and his dad got from an old Burns guitar that are wired in series, with the middle being reverse wound because Brian wanted the pick-ups to feedback into each other to give a fuller and stronger sound and tone, that's why the body of the guitar is hollowed out in the same was as a Gibson 335 Semi-acoustic, but without the soundholes in the oak top.
On top of that, Brian still uses the same original VOX AC30 amps that he used in Queen.
"driven by you" at the expo '92 :)
i wish they would reliese that gig on a cleaned up dvd-its fantastic
That is so incredibly cool that he made that with his dad. I didn't know that.
what a legend... Freddie was a vocaland performance legend and Brian is a guitar legend
Humble genious.... love him !
I just saw a website filled with arseholes slandering May, calling him Satanist, narcisist and they claim that he forced Freddie to play in Queen, they claim he loves killing animals and watch them suffer.. i mean come on, fuck that for a game of soldiers, Brian is one of the most kind-hearted people in the world..
9 people accidentally must have hit the dislike button....there is nothing to NOT like about this amazing man. Long live Dr. Brian May! :-)
Fireplace for the neck, part of an Oak table to hold the strain, block board for the body, piece that holds up the saddle bag on a bike, piece of my mother's knitting needle, springs from a motorbike and self carved steel, design your own bridge rollers with no friction...
Six strings and you will become a part of ROCK history
Pretty simple really..ahhaahh
Love these stories..
Like the old Blues masters before it became cool where they made their instruments.We know how that worked out..
I knew he was a brilliant guitar player but he built his guitar with his dad out of scrap! I am amazed. I now have a new respect for this bloke and I promise to learn some of his stuff to play on my Gibson factory built guitar. He built his guitar! oh my god.
Brian was one of those guitarist with a distinctive sound
He built his own guitar!?
That is one of the most amazing stories I've ever heard! Wow! That's stuff of genious! Amazing!
his homemade guitar is probably 1 of the most famous EVER guitars. and i love it like like i love brian :)
Happy Birthday, Brian May!!
You really have to admire and respect a guy who spends 2 years making a guitar with his dad, as a poor kid, and though he has made millions over the years, sticks to that one special instrument. It also serves a good lesson to every kid out there who begs their parents to "buy" them a guitar etc....build it- earn it- respect it!
I'm not a huge Brian May Fan...not saying that he is not a genius in his own right and one of the most iconic rock and Roll guitarists in history, Queen has just never been my cup of tea, however i must say that the construction of a guitar like this is really amazing and to then become one of the worlds most recognized musicians/guitarists is just unreal..I mean what are the odds of this happening? truly amazing story and what a great individual he is. Queen was and is a great band. Miraculous!
Best guitar story of all time. Period.
I've always had huge respect for Brian, and Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck. They're so damn normal. They come from an era in which you build your own stuff, my era actually.
@lebrontravelled No. The tremolo has been around since the Stratocaster first launched. He was referring to the fact that at that time, there weren't any after-market tremolos to purchase and install like there are today.
brian may was always been my look up to guitar hero up until now, and for all you know his not underrated, his an epic... too much love will kill you is dedicated to his friend and band mate Ferdy mercury...