Queen’s guitarist still plays the guitar made for him by his father. It was the early 1960’s and a teenage Brian May wanted an electric guitar. The relatively new instruments were still quite expensive—hundreds of dollars. Well beyond the means of the family’s budget. Brian’s father Harold was an electrical engineer and a hacker of sorts. Harold proposed the two build an electric guitar from scratch as a father-son project. This was the beginning of a two-year odyssey that resulted in the creation of one of the world’s most famous musical instruments.

They began to work on the guitar in August 1963, with the project taking two years to complete. The neck was constructed from a fireplace mantel that a friend was about to throw away. According to May, there are worm holes in the neck of the guitar that he filled with matchsticks.

The body was made from an old table. White plastic shelf edging was applied to the top and bottom edges to protect them from damage. The tremolo system is made from a bicycle saddlebag holder with a plastic knitting needle tip. Various replica models have been made; however, Brian still insists on playing the original, made for him by his father.

Possible Preaching Angle:

As you look at your life, you may see many things that are wrong, could be better, or broken. You may think that God wouldn’t use you, and would pass you by for a disciple who is far more gifted than you. However, Jesus sees you as precious and unique. He will not pass you by, but waits to make unique music with your life, consecrated to him. So, what are you waiting for?