The 'Stratocrapper' Is Gone

I received a call this evening from the Mansfield Art Center, to announce that someone had purchased my toilet seat guitar, the 'Stratocrapper'.  It's a moment of mixed emotions.  I liked that damn thing, and it played so well.  But, the buyer is happy, and that makes me feel good.

Geez, I hated to see it go, but I can always build another, right?

While rummaging through junk at a secondhand store today, I happened onto an old lamp shaped like one of Persian origin.  I rubbed on that sucker and make a special request . . .

Holiday Fair

Finally, today I put the finishing touches on the exhibit for the coming Art Center Holiday Fair.

Seventeen guitars and ten amps for discriminating buyers to choose from.  There are three-string, four-string, and six-string choices, and the amps are all battery powered GuitarFuel harnessed creations.

The setting is an alcove on the second floor, which is like a mini amphitheater, where the sound bounces around very well and can be heard throughout the entire center.  I've supplied an amp cord for anyone who wants to take their favorite for a test run.

Check out the three-dimensional TotalRojo sign made by my friend Matt at Spazz Monkey.  It features a copy of one of my pinstriped six-strings to enhance the logo.

This is what it looks like.  What do you think?

Amp Creations

I worked my butt off the past two days creating eight new amps for the Art Center Holiday Fair, which is opening November 19.  These will compliment the 17 guitars I have displayed.

All my amps carry GuitarFuel AD-2W or SD-MAH3 harnesses, which are either 3w or 5w little monsters.  It's easy to tell the difference when looking at thephotos . . . the 2W has only two control knobs (Volume-On-Off and Tone), while the MAH3 has three control knobs (the extra knob is for 'Gain').

Like all my stuff, I've named the amps in order or presentation . . . 'Rox'; 'Exodus'; 'The Freak'; 'Naked Lady'; 'The Brick'; 'Temple Hall'; 'Casa Magna' and ''Louie'.









Remember Them Today!

'The Indian'

The 'Indian' is a three-string electro/acoustic guitar created from an Indian Tabac cigar box.  To add a little nostalgia to the build, I chose to embed Indianhead nickles in the headstock and tail stock.  The sound hole is cut in the form of an old arrowhead.  You'll notice that I have only fretted it in key locations for playing with a slide in open G tuning.  I fired it up this morning on my amp and it sounds pretty good, so I'm happy . . . it looks cool and sounds good, what more can a fella ask for?

Holiday Art Fair Invitation

Annually, a cross section of local and out-of-market artists are selected by a committee to participate in the Mansfield Art Center Holiday Art Fair. 

Consigned art runs the gamut from paintings to pottery, textiles to dimensional presentations, and much that falls between.

After seeing the guitars I create, the committee invited me to participate in the fair, so I'll hang fifteen guitars, which range in style and price, to be purchased as gifts for someone special, or for the individual who wishes to have a very unique instrument.

I feel honored to have been considered for inclusion in the event, especially since I am familiar with the quality of the art that hangs in this annual invitational.

Since it is a consignment arrangement, some of the money from each sale stays with the art center to help fund it.  A win, win situation for artists and the center.

This is my first 'real' showing of the instruments I design and build, so it will be interesting to see how they are received in the art world, and by discriminating buyers.

Letter From Steven

There are some things in life that are nice, others that are enjoyable, and then there are those things that hold great value.  Falling into the latter category is a letter I received yesterday from my young friend Steven.

Steven is a special little boy.  He loves Spider-Man and music.  And, he has a smile that will melt your heart.

Steven's Grandpa asked me to build Steven a custom guitar that would reflect his idol, so I created the 'Spider-Man' guitar, which is posted here. 

Marvin told me Steven was really happy to receive it and that he played with it all the time.  That's about all it took to make me as happy as Steven.  What better gift to receive than to know that something you've done for someone else brings them enjoyment.

Well, the letter I received yesterday from Steven is even a greater reward for me.  I'll share it with you.

Thank you Steven, I hope you always enjoy music and that you will play forever.

'Torano'

The 'Torano' is a straight-forward three-string electro/acoustic CBG created from a Torano Churchill cigar box.  A Piezo transducer serves as the pickup to transmit sound from the box to the amp, but it has great resonance and sustain when played acoustically.

Art on the box is so interesting that I had no graphic work to do to accentuate it.  Black hardware is used for sound hole, bridge and tailpiece covers.

The neck is walnut with maple fingerboard, and corian nut and saddle finish off the layout. 

Like most of my three-string CBGs, its tuned to G-D-g, utilizing the 5-4-3 strings from a set of 10-46 ga. strings.  Action is low to facilitate finger play, but it is good for slide work as well.