We have a traitor in our midst...and it's me. I feel awful. I betrayed the whole movement and bought a factory made guitar. Worse still, I've been playing it almost exclusively for the past three days! The problem is that, in my opinion, it sounds better to my ears than anything I've been making of late so playing it is in some sense, certainly in the ears, more satisfying. It's a half-sized classical guitar from 1972 (that's what it says on the label but this could perhaps be just when the company was set up), fully acoustic and has the half steel and half nylon string set up, for those that want to know.
I digress. I came here to ask for advice. When we, any of us, buys a factory produced guitar and adapts it, how much adapting do we need to do to make it our own and give it a 'soul'?
I'm considering covering it in a box but keeping the body and the neck intact. Basically putting a cigar box guitar type coat on it. Is this cheating? I'm wondering WHY I want to give it a cigar box look when that's all I'm doing and I'm happy with the sound. I think it's purely aesthetic and making it look better than anything, or perhaps even just wanting it to look different to those factory made guitars to keep up with the image I see of myself. A reflection on what I want it to look like to fit in with what I perceive my current image to be?
So, when does a factory made guitar become a cigar box TYPE guitar? How much does it need to be adapted before we accept it as one of our own and welcome in our midst? I've used a factory made guitar neck on new boxes and thought of that as mine but I changed so much about it that the sound was totally different, along with everything else. I really like the sound of this one though so wouldn't want to loose that just for an image and an aesthetic change.
I'm in a quandary and seeking your help and advice. Any that you choose to give is hugely appreciated.
Replies
meh . they are call cbg mods . totally acceptable .
gretch 5850 bo diddley 3 stringer mod
gibson mod
national mod
framus mod
etc etc etc
heh heh heh ;-}
That's some cool builds, pick. Especially those skull resonators.
then again . if it aint broke or half broke ,, dont fix it . ;-)
or do ... ;-)
Or in my case, if it ain't broke or half broke then leave it alone because you'll only break it more! Thanks for the help Pick. :)
Simple solution.
1) Do you like it?
2) Does it sound good and make you happy?
3) If the answer to those two questions is yes there is no need to go any farther.
Keep it, enjoy it and be happy.
Well to answer the questions asked, I think I like the guitar I bought for a few reasons. It's small enough for me to hold comfortably and get my arms around even when I'm in pain. I love my last build but that box is huge to get your arm around and when my shoulder's hurting it's a total pain. Literally. Also, the thinness of the neck is sooo comfortable when playing. Another thing is the super-low action of the strings. So easy to get a clean note out of that even my pinky is able to do so! Then there's the whole hollow body thing with its deep tones. Just beautiful. I'm considering putting a piezo in it but, as you mentioned Wayfinder, I need to research it first and make sure it's not truly a 1972 build.
All in all, with the above things combined, I've learned a LOT about what I need in a build from this one purchase. It was a super low price of £30 and that makes it a steal simply because of what I've learned about what I like and/or need in future builds.
I think I'll likely keep it as is. If it's NOT a vintage guitar then I may adorn it with stickers and such so that it fits in with how I perceive my image to be. It'd be a lot easier than giving it a cigar box style coat and not as pointless as giving it said coat. We'll see but first comes the research.
Thanks all for the advice and helping me to question what it is that I love about it. It's definitely going to serve me well so thanks to those who mentioned that I should think on these things. Much appreciated.
Bear.
Oh, I should add, the make is a 'Valencia'. Not a big name but none the less a thing of beauty.
Oh the shame of it!! LOL Many of us have treasured factory made instruments in our collection and I would definitely not tear apart my Telecaster to make a CBG. They're simply different instruments and that should be respected. On my collab with Vinnie I felt a bit off about using a factory flute but that was the sound I was hearing in my head so I went with it along with my cigar box fiddle. And if you look at Vinnies original vid of Last Train to Amity you can see that he uses a cool combination of factory and homemade instruments on his loops.Fomhorach gave good advice - try to analyze what it is that you like on that guitar and then incorporate it into future builds.
Have you just sat back and wondered why this instrument sounds better? Is it the precision of the frets? Is it the size of the body producing deeper tones? Is it simply the scale length? Could it be that you now have 6 strings? Might it be a tapered neck, rounded neck, rounded fretboard?
If you figure out why you like it, you can then dismantle it with a hammer. I'm sure you will feel much better afterwards. Also, you will have all those wonderful left over bits to use.
I'm half joking. Hey if you like the sound it makes then keep it. I tend to like messing about on various instruments just to give my ears and fingers a fresh edge.
I especially like changing scale lengths and switching from amp electric to acoustic.
Next for me is string numbers. :)
Edit.. My guitars usually emerge as mine over time as I dent scratch decal paint etc. The only thing I tend to do is name them, usually a woman's name and write the name on them. Most times I ask a child to come up with the name.