I’m a little bit overdue to build something stupid, so…roughing out a plan to rectify that situation asap. I’ve got a MIJ Jaguar neck that I recently did a refret on, a pre routed standard Tele body (thankfully no string through was drilled), a pocket full of idiot ideas, and ain’t nothin’ gonna stop this from happening, not even the very obvious issues here. Nah, it’ll be fine. The wrap around bridge will allow me to get the 24inch scale that’s required, and to deal with the break angle, I’m going to build a solid shim for the neck pocket - guessing about 2mm, we’ll see. I’ll move the bridge pickup towards the neck by a few millimetres so it’s not right on the bridge, then do a massive smugglers route under the pickguard (of which I’ll cut a custom one, using this as a very basic template). Then decide on switching/control options, and a coat of the finest paint that $6.50 can buy. Should be fun!!! P.S please feel free to point out anything huge I might have missed here! #mashup #customguitar #justforfun #guitar #failureisalwaysanoption #telecaster #jaguar #shouldntbeleftalone #beexcellenttoeachother

Just finished this up, and I can still see the exact line in the beard where I realised just how much effort this bloody well was. Band deets from this poster are under wraps until @tymguitars drops the final version, but I ran outta time to do a custom typeface so…just imagine a real nice font placed in a way that probably goes against design rules. Been fun doing this, so I’ll hopefully find time to get into the swing of it again, drawing that is, and find my style while I’m at it. I know this is fairly rudimentary, and it’s not half as detailed as I’d like, but, gotta restart somewhere 👍#theresabadmoonontherise #drawing #wacom #ihavenoideawhatimdoing #learning #failureisalwaysanoption #sketch #adobe #illustrator #photoshop #brisbane #bandposter #gigposter #beexcellenttoeachother

WVMIP - work very much in progress. Around about 800 lines to go, then some texture/grit. It’s been A LONG time since I’ve really done any gig posters, or any serious attempt at drawing (analogue or digital)…but with so many rad in store gigs @tymguitars coming up, and after doing a few graphic collage based flyers, I’ve felt the urge to get back into it a little more. Gig posters used to be my world, I’d follow the work of @jermainerogersart, @frankkozik, @taramcpherson, and so many other talented artists, religiously. I never got to a point where I was super stoked with my own work, certainly not by comparison to the greats, but I remember an amazingly welcoming and helpful community that I was really happy to be a part of. This is my first attempt at using a combination of hand drawing and the tracing in illustrator with a Wacom tablet, huge learning curve, but I think after the next 800 or so lines I’ll be feeling more capable…maybe. #wip #gigposter #wacom #drawing #sketch #rough #draft #adobeillustrator #adobephotoshop #mightturnoutokay #failureisalwaysanoption #brisbane #cursedobjects #beexcellenttoeachother

Thank goodness for test runs, right?!! Ahahahaha. I’ve been seeing some AMAZING gold leaf finishes lately, and I just had to have a go. Well…I mean I’m going to have a go, this was just a run to try a few different methods. This is the result of the crumple and burnish, with egg white as the size (glue). Obviously very messy, but damn good fun. I’ve had a go at a clean less sketchy run on the back of the body and I’m starting to get a feel for it. A few more attempts on test bodies first, then something incredibly daft for, a Jazzmaster perhaps? #failureisalwaysanoption #experiment #telecaster #goldleaf #guitarfinishing #guitar #brisbane #cursedobjects #beexcellenttoeachother

I wanted to try an experiment to help explain how important prep work and fine sanding is prior to adding clear finishes (particularly for those wanting to use tru oil). The experiment kinda failed but that’s okay. Left hand side has been sanded up to 600 grit, while on the right its only up to 320. Once finished, I’ll have worked up to at least 1200 all over. Why? Because I have a weird obsession with sanding, and also Tru Oil hides nothing, if you are lazy at this stage, you’re going to kick yourself for it later on. Have a rad Sunday out there! #wip #stratocaster #mahogany #yourhogany #guitar #guitarbuilding #guitartech #cursedobjects #customguitar #beexcellenttoeachother #stayrad #blackcatboneguitars #brisbane #failureisalwaysanoption

I’ll find out tomorrow if this little experiment worked out. I’m putting this poor strat body through hell though. The thing is, for me, I NEED to experiment. As much as I love a beautifully crafted Fender, or (insert big brand name here), I’m not those guys, and I’ll likely never have access to the shops and tools that they work with. I personally see no need for another guitar maker out there to be copying a true and tested guitar -part for part, including finishes. It’s done already, and done well! I think I need to write a little blog post about it soon actually. For me, although yes I am using many standard build shapes, it’s all about the details and, sometimes you need to throw those details into the hands of fate and see what happens. However this guitar pans out, I’ll be happy enough to say, it was at least worth a go :) Stay rad! #failureisalwaysanoption #guitar #customguitar #customfinish #hellhound #sneakpeek #mightnotwork #brisbane #guitarbuilder #stratocaster #yakisugi #shousugiban #blackcatboneguitars

For a very brief moment I was thinking about attempting some GT stripes on the next #yakisugi guitar. The test run however, indicates that I might be over/under thinking things. Now all I’m left with is this piece of “contemporary art” ;) #failureisalwaysanoption #luthier #guitarfinish #idea #backtothedrawingboard #char #shousugiban #brisbane #australia #stayrad

If I appear tired, and disheveled, it’s because I am. It’s been a day where I’ve had to accept that I still have a long way to go, to get where I want to be. Skills not yet honed in, and many not yet even acquired, but it’s all part of the path I’ve chosen to careen down with gusto. Maybe “careen” is the wrong term, there is control in what I’m doing, but sometimes I let myself get 10 paces ahead, tripping up can only be expected from time to time! Anyway, I’ve left the jobs on the workshop bench sit unfinished until tomorrow, and let myself just play for a couple of hours, it’s the great leveller for me, balance is restored and I just noticed I sound like I’m writing a motivational speech or something, my bad. Stay rad you guys! #alwayslearning #guitartech #ambitionisgreat #butdontoverdoit #failureisalwaysanoption #guitar #jazzmaster #fender #brisbane #stayrad

The #jaguar bass that I was “charring” the other day, got a little outta hand… Thankfully none of the glue holding the body together lost its bond, so onwards we go! #fender #jaguarbass #shortscale #bassguitar #squier #failureisalwaysanoption #customguitar #bonsai #blackboard #chalk #brisbane #australia #stayrad #jvs