The never-ending project
As a guitar freak and (decidedly average) guitar player, a friend of mine gave me a cheap, old broken guitar. "You're one of those creative types, aren't you?" he said. "Can you do anything with this?"
The guitar had a broken headstock (the bit at the end of the neck with the tuning pegs on, for those of you who don't know the first thing about guitars). That meant it would need a new neck. So.... Ebay. The body was bright red and spattered with scratches and dings. Easy, I thought. I'll give it a quick sand down and paint something fancy on it. Give me a couple of weeks.
Oh, did I mention this was over 10 years ago.
I'm sure we all have these types of projects. The 'I'll sort that thingymabob out one day' kind of projects. Maybe it's a creative endeavour (like my guitar), or some DIY or desire to learn something new. I know, I've been meaning to fix my back gate. It's been hanging off for years now. This guitar was like that. It hung around my studio for years, always being superseded by the latest idea. Gathering dust. Half finished.
Anyway, now its done! I was a little constrained in my design, due to the fact that when I sanded it down (a horrendous task, NEVER do it), I discovered it was made of plywood! The top and bottom looked great, but the sides looked like, well..... plywood. Hence, the dark sky around the edges. I'm particularly pleased with the plastic scratch-guard, which I made myself out of acrylic (another horrendous task, NEVER do it) and engraved by hand with 50's style lettering to match the pin up theme.
Now all I need is another friend to give me another beaten up old guitar. Then we can see what can be created in the next ten years.
The guitar had a broken headstock (the bit at the end of the neck with the tuning pegs on, for those of you who don't know the first thing about guitars). That meant it would need a new neck. So.... Ebay. The body was bright red and spattered with scratches and dings. Easy, I thought. I'll give it a quick sand down and paint something fancy on it. Give me a couple of weeks.
Oh, did I mention this was over 10 years ago.
I'm sure we all have these types of projects. The 'I'll sort that thingymabob out one day' kind of projects. Maybe it's a creative endeavour (like my guitar), or some DIY or desire to learn something new. I know, I've been meaning to fix my back gate. It's been hanging off for years now. This guitar was like that. It hung around my studio for years, always being superseded by the latest idea. Gathering dust. Half finished.
Anyway, now its done! I was a little constrained in my design, due to the fact that when I sanded it down (a horrendous task, NEVER do it), I discovered it was made of plywood! The top and bottom looked great, but the sides looked like, well..... plywood. Hence, the dark sky around the edges. I'm particularly pleased with the plastic scratch-guard, which I made myself out of acrylic (another horrendous task, NEVER do it) and engraved by hand with 50's style lettering to match the pin up theme.
Now all I need is another friend to give me another beaten up old guitar. Then we can see what can be created in the next ten years.
It's true, I am a guitar nut. My greatest fear is dying and my wife selling my guitars, amps and pedals for what she thinks I paid for them!
In my spare time I love to build pedals, pedalboards and customise guitars.
If you like relic guitars, I'm second to none. This was once a brand new Squier Classic Vibe tele. Just contact me if you would like to talk guitars or have an idea for a project I could help with.
In my spare time I love to build pedals, pedalboards and customise guitars.
If you like relic guitars, I'm second to none. This was once a brand new Squier Classic Vibe tele. Just contact me if you would like to talk guitars or have an idea for a project I could help with.
Start 'em young, that's what I say!
A super little project with my son. We sanded and dip painted this telecaster together. His first guitar! Now, if only he could stop playing 'Satisfaction' by the Stones....
A super little project with my son. We sanded and dip painted this telecaster together. His first guitar! Now, if only he could stop playing 'Satisfaction' by the Stones....
