Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on March 11, 2013 at 3:01am

Sometimes I might be inspired by a certain box to go with a theme that sort of matches the box. I found a pretty red Romeo and Juliet box  so did a sort of renaissance theme for the headstock. My last build was based on using found objects for most of the parts so that sort of established a theme of rusty old stuff. I may find an item that I want to use as a sound hole cover  and then try to make the rest of the build fit with the style of that. Now I am doing a reso and making the cover plate out of a chrome napkin holder so that will establish the "look", I'll then try and style the rest of the components to work in harmony with that. Other times I just start messing around and see what happens!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by t-belly johnson on March 11, 2013 at 7:35am

If it`s for me I just start the build with no exact plan,other than how many strings,what pickups.If it`s for a friend then I like to make it personal to them, nickname,job,hobby,sports club they follow.

eg.   A scottish friend living in Belgium got a 3 stringed biscuit tin.The tin was a kilt! He loves it and has gigged with it.

         

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on March 11, 2013 at 7:43am

I usually have a theme in mind, then start building. When I get done, I am lucky if the theme is still intact.

I did manage to keep the theme alive with my Zeke Deadwood build...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on March 11, 2013 at 1:27pm

themes are  a  hoot   ..   its  best  to  start out with a theme  , then it  gives  you focus  and direction  on  the  hunt  . 

i  love  a good theme  ..    you  can see some of  my theme  swamp witches   on  my   website   near the  bottom  .

 

http://swampwitchguitars.weebly.com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on March 11, 2013 at 2:59pm

I e done quite a few too, like carved a bear headstock for a teddy bear tin, skull heads etc but my fav theme is 'cheapskate' I love the response you get from people when they deduce that the bridge used to be a fork or that the strap was a $2 opshop belt etc

Oh and I sure do like unfinished twigs, which most guys know I use for inlays, dots, end pins, replacemt tuner knobs, pickup bobbins etc etc

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on March 12, 2013 at 6:31pm

I just sort of let the box tell me what it wants to be as I go along on the build, though on my fifth build I started out wanting to do the sound holes as oak leaves and it carried over.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clarky on March 13, 2013 at 1:18am

Usually depends on the box for me.  I'm the same as you, I don't sell them so I do what I want.  If someone asks me to make one then they choose the theme and I tell them what's possible (virtually anything!).  Current one I'm making look distressed, mainly because the box wasn't in a great state to begin with.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jabes on March 15, 2013 at 5:16am

from reading the other posts it looks like i agree with all of you , rarely does a guit end up as i first envisage, with exception of paper covered cigar box builds -they always look like i expected..

 

• ▶ Reply