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Geek Culture / Steampunk custom guitar.

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Tinkergirl
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Joined: 1st Jul 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 25th May 2006 01:17
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Hello all!

So, I'm going through a steampunk phase and at the same time, knew someone who wanted to have a go at building a guitar from a kit. They a) couldn't be bothered to decide on a paintjob, and b) play lefthanded (kits are right handed generally).

So - I got to design and build a steampunk guitar! Just finished it and here it is:



The bridge and control plate were replaced (from chrome to gold), the body was painted brass and artificially aged. The tone and volume knobs are from plumbing gate valves. The cogs (sprockets, actually) are from the gear-cassette from a bike, bought new and painted. The scratchplate is old secondhand fabric covering the original, and the strap is a new, old-leather look. As many screws as possible as brass and the knobs are held on with specially shortened and flattened upholstery tacks.

Anyway - I'm very pleased with it indeed The only problem now is, of course, what do you wear when rocking out on an axe like that?
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Saikoro
21
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Joined: 6th Oct 2003
Location: California
Posted: 25th May 2006 01:30
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Looks sick, hows it play? Looks heavier than heavy though, but probably still less than a Les Paul. Never seen anything like that before =) really great looking job on it.

"One World, One Web, One Program" -Microsoft ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer"(One People, One Kingdom, One Leader)-Adolf Hitler.
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empty
22
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: 3 boats down from the candy
Posted: 25th May 2006 01:32
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That's really pretty. I like the knobs.

Quote: "he only problem now is, of course, what do you wear when rocking out on an axe like that? "

Leather.


Play Nice! Play Basic!
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Tinkergirl
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Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 25th May 2006 01:34
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Action's a little high - the nut could do with being lower. The intonation is perfect though, and the tone's good enough for my ears right now. It's perfect for learning on though, as my fingers need the calluses built up.

*does a quick weight comparison* It's about the same as a Les Paul (which is a bit scary) - but I'll suffer for my art. (Har.)
Thanks for the compliment on the guitar
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Bahamut
19
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Joined: 4th Nov 2005
Location: Brighton
Posted: 25th May 2006 01:45
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That looks pretty damn cool. It's a very nice design-the valve-like knobs are great. How long did it take?


You should definitely play live with this guitar. Good luck with learning how to play.


Quote: "The only problem now is, of course, what do you wear when rocking out on an axe like that?"


Sorry, I had to laugh. On too many occaions, my sister has agonised over what to wear to a gig (spending hours planning what to wear), trying to match the clothes, the guitar and the strap. Then, 5 minutes before the gig, she ditches her choice for jeans and T-shirt. Happens every time.

IceBound
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Oddmind
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Joined: 20th Jun 2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posted: 25th May 2006 02:55
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looks raw!

I think you should duct tape some random pieces of lead piping coming out of it, maybe some for the tuning knobs too ;P.

Naw this guitart looks superb, hope it plays just as well!

formerly KrazyJimmy

I'm the lizard king, I can do anything.
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Zotoaster
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Joined: 20th Dec 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 25th May 2006 03:45
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I HATE Telecasters! They're so ugly!

But!

I have to say, this one looks pretty damn cool!


Quote: "It's about the same as a Les Paul "


Hmm... doesn't look that heavy.

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Fjope
18
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Joined: 24th May 2006
Location: Plotting world domination!
Posted: 25th May 2006 05:30
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NNICCCCCCCCEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Wish I had a guitar like that. Good luck learning to play: I tried to once, when I was about six on my dad's twelve string, I remember slashing two of my fingers to ribbons and getting blood everywhere. That experience kinda ruined music for me. :/

"Only the Dark Side deals in absolutes!" - Obi Wan

The above statement is proof that Gorge Lucas has destroyed Star Wars.
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Saikoro
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Location: California
Posted: 25th May 2006 05:56
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Quote: "I HATE Telecasters! They're so ugly!"

They've a very nice clean and country-distorted tone though =)

Quote: "Hmm... doesn't look that heavy."

It's made out of metal.

"One World, One Web, One Program" -Microsoft ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer"(One People, One Kingdom, One Leader)-Adolf Hitler.
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BearCDPOLD
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Joined: 16th Oct 2003
Location: AZ,USA
Posted: 25th May 2006 07:15 Edited at: 25th May 2006 07:15
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Freddie Mercury used a telly on "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". Telecasters own. Their twanginess can be used in a variety of styles to add some groove edge. My little brother has a telecaster, and it's fun to rock out Doobie Brothers on that thing. That is a beastly looking guitar .


I'm going to eat you!
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Tinkergirl
21
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Joined: 1st Jul 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 25th May 2006 11:41
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Thanks everyone

The reason it was a telecaster style, is that that was the shape/style of the cheapest guitar kit we could find at the time (it being a first attempt, and all). Personally, I dislike the shape of Les Pauls, but teles and strats I don't mind.

It's heavy because of the gears/sprockets on it - they're steel (from a bike gear system) and the knobs are metal too. The rest of it shouldn't add too much weight to it.

I've played instruments before (Fjope, I can identify - did the same to my fingers with a double-bass) but only recently discovered I'm a right handed guitar player, and had been trying to play left handed.

But I'm progressing steadily. Just about got my 'F's down The guitar demands to be played, and played well - I can't deny it.
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Drew Cameron
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Location: Scotland
Posted: 25th May 2006 12:38
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Holy schnit that's stone cold crazy!

Looking even better than before!

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Van B
Moderator
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Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 25th May 2006 12:50
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Quote: "The only problem now is, of course, what do you wear when rocking out on an axe like that?"


Boiler suit?

Works for munky from Korn .

Nice looking guitar BTW, be sure to upload an MP3 of how it sounds.

Aegrescit medendo
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Phaelax
DBPro Master
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Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 26th May 2006 00:51
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thats a pretty nifty guitar. reminds me of the bass I saw from a band opening for reverend horton heat, it was made from a gas tank.

friend and i were going to build guitars and start a small garage company. I got 2 strat bodies laying around I need to finish, they were part of existing ones but the ones we planned to build were from scratch.

"Using Unix is the computing equivalent of listening only to music by David Cassidy" - Rob Pike
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soapyfish
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Joined: 24th Oct 2003
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posted: 26th May 2006 16:58
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I always liked those kinds of films but never knew they were referred to as steampunk.

<º))))><.·´¯`·.Here's to the crazy ones¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>
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Philip
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Joined: 15th Jun 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 29th May 2006 13:15
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I like it. I think for steampunk, you should dress up like Fred Dibnah. Also adopt a Bolton accent, just not around Lee, because he'll think you're taking the piss.

Cheer if you like bears! Cheer if you like jam sandwiches!
Quote of the week: "I highly recommend Philip's Vector Tutorials" (RiiDii)
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Tinkergirl
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Posted: 29th May 2006 17:15
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Fred Dibnah?? I, Tinkergirl, != Fred Dibnah.

Anyway, had to replace the pickup switch, as the gatevalves (the red things) were in the way of it - so we put two toggle switches on instead. One for each pickup. It means that should you wish it, you can have both pickups off *shrugs*. And while we were there we got rid of a buzzing sound from one of the strings by filing down the nut.



Piccie of the new switches - they're nice to throw (And before anyone says anything - there was no room for a knife-switch, or I'd have used those instead).
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Philip
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Posted: 30th May 2006 14:55
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Quote: "Fred Dibnah?? I, Tinkergirl, != Fred Dibnah. "


Ha! Well now I understand why the flat cap which I sent you as a present was received so badly. Ha! HA!

(The famous cartoon bear affects mock outrage)

Cheer if you like bears! Cheer if you like jam sandwiches!
Quote of the week: "I highly recommend Philip's Vector Tutorials" (RiiDii)
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