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.