I'm not a person for sitting on beaches. What would I do?

I was actually perfectly happy when I had no money, which lasted right up until we had a hit with Killer Queen, in 1974. I never wanted for anything.

From the beginning of Queen there was such momentum that I never had any time to do anything else. My energy was 95% focused on the band

Sometimes if the guitar is the last thing to go on, it's very fresh.

I've always lived in that guitar world. I have noticed kids being more into the real essence of guitar music now.

I like a big neck – thick, flat and wide. I lacquered the fingerboard with Rustin's Plastic Coating. The tremolo is interesting in that the arm's made from an old bicycle saddle bag carrier, the knob at the end's off a knitting needle and the springs are valve springs from an old motorbike.

I think Queen tribute bands are great. However, we have to keep them at arm's length, otherwise it could be too dangerous.