A guitar I built named Kerry.
I cannot play guitar with any skill whatsoever. I have tried to learn many times. But, there are always more shiny things in my peripheral vision. The next thing you know the once precious guitar has collected dust in the corner.
The "Benjo", built for my brother own law., "Ben"
A couple of years agoI found people building these online. I found it fascinating. Both the idea of a guitar with only three strings, and the fact I didn't have to drop $300 on a guitar that I was probably never going to play.
I was also really into the artistic end of it. I could build 100 of them, and none will be the same. Every one I build, I find some new thing I could add to the next one, or something I'd like to try somewhere down the road.
A diddley-bow (one-stringer) I made.
There's a great online community where people go to post pictures of their builds, talk about ideas they have and find answers to any problems they run into.
There are plain guitars built with a cigar box (hence the name), there are different kinds of boxes people use, there are cookie tins, and there are solid wood ones. There's really no limit!
A "canjo" I made.
It's a fun present to give to people, even if they too don't know how to play. It can make a pretty fun conversation piece just hanging on the wall.
A Betty-Boop guitar I made as a gift for a friend.
People love them, and sometimes come to me with custom orders. An idea they always thought would be cool to have. Sometimes it's gifts they want made for someone, and sometimes it's fun ideas for someone else.
A solid wood guitar I made for Colin Hanks and the opening of his documentary on Tower Records.
A problem with making them, I sometimes fall in love with it and I can't let it go. So, here I am, a non-guitar player who currently has around 15 guitars hanging on the walls of his house. My wife doesn't play either, by the way, and isn't too thrilled.
A "flying V" CBG I made.
Close up of the pick guard for the flying v.
Hanging out in my garage and building these is something I really enjoy doing. If you have any questions about building them, playing them or anything, I'd love to attempt an answer!
A CBG @jacobts and I built together when he came to visit Idaho.
Just remember, I have no idea how to play the guitar!
Be well.
Congratulations @locoestaban!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following category:
Awesome! thanks for the mention!
These are great fun! Thank you for sharing and making me smile. :)
These are super cool and unique. Get a celebrity to buy one and you will be a famous guitar maker! The support recycling and reusing. I'm all for it.
Thank you! One of them, the Tower Records one, is owned by Tom Hanks' son, Colin. He hasn't given me any more business... Oh well!
These are so cool :D I'm the same way about my art...its hard to let all of that hard work go. It's like they're a part of you :)
Thanks! Yeah, it can be hard when you've spent time with stuff to let it go!
Wow... amazing... that is "good-radical" art in music tools, I like that benjos and guitar. Nice posting! :)
Thank you!
Excellent instruments of music, my friend, thank you for sharing them, really enjoy reading and learning a little more about them. I hope you have a good Sunday.
Thank you!
upvoted and followed you.
Thank you.
Nice work and great pics of your work too. Hope business picks up for you.
Thank you! It's not a huge money maker, but it is fun!
Somebody hit the jackpot! Keep rocking out this awesome niche homie. I've never even seen half this sort of reward. Good god i'm glowing happy for you. THIS is why I was hoping you'd be here. That Betty Boop and Cane one, totally dope. ROCK ON!!!
Thanks pal! You mentioned them in one of your posts, so I figured I had to share them. Hope you get to play yours a little once in a while too!
I will when I get back to LA. It's with the rest of my worldly possessions. I'm still giggling over the time your showed me how to make it.
The cane one is one I made for Dunbar before I left LA ,btw.
These are absolutely fantastic pieces of art and contain some great Americana. I love the individuality that each one has. You got my up-vote good sir!
Well, thank you very much! They are expected fun to build!
These are incredible! You truly have a talent for making them, and it looks super fun. I play all kinds if stringed instruments and couldn't begin to fathom how to make them. You have a great talent, can't wait to see more of your content! Following.
Thanks a lot. They are fun to build, and even if I can't play very well, they are very fun to noodle on too. They are tuned to an open chord, and I mostly just play around with a slide.
Those are beautiful. I'd love to play one.
Thank you!
Awsome man! I loved the flying V!
Thank you!
Amazing and creative - keep up the good work and great photos
Thank you!
Pleasure - have a great week