We have a traitor in our midst...and it's me. I feel awful. I betrayed the whole movement and bought a factory made guitar. Worse still, I've been playing it almost exclusively for the past three days! The problem is that, in my opinion, it sounds better to my ears than anything I've been making of late so playing it is in some sense, certainly in the ears, more satisfying. It's a half-sized classical guitar from 1972 (that's what it says on the label but this could perhaps be just when the company was set up), fully acoustic and has the half steel and half nylon string set up, for those that want to know.

I digress. I came here to ask for advice. When we, any of us, buys a factory produced guitar and adapts it, how much adapting do we need to do to make it our own and give it a 'soul'?

I'm considering covering it in a box but keeping the body and the neck intact. Basically putting a cigar box guitar type coat on it. Is this cheating? I'm wondering WHY I want to give it a cigar box look when that's all I'm doing and I'm happy with the sound. I think it's purely aesthetic and making it look better than anything, or perhaps even just wanting it to look different to those factory made guitars to keep up with the image I see of myself. A reflection on what I want it to look like to fit in with what I perceive my current image to be?

So, when does a factory made guitar become a cigar box TYPE guitar? How much does it need to be adapted before we accept it as one of our own and welcome in our midst? I've used a factory made guitar neck on new boxes and thought of that as mine but I changed so much about it that the sound was totally different, along with everything else. I really like the sound of this one though so wouldn't want to loose that just for an image and an aesthetic change.

I'm in a quandary and seeking your help and advice. Any that you choose to give is hugely appreciated.