the voids give it so much character! as long as they dont affect the playability it makes it 1000x cooler than something solid that has been milled. imo ofc
Agreed! Love those. Personally, I'd enjoy a bit more torn apart look with more holes in the body, filled out with epoxy.... Battle-worn Terminator T-1000 style. Hmmm...
I absolutely LOVE how thin it is. It's my dream to have a super thin jaguar with vintage univox humbuckers. This aluminum build is phenomenal. Great job
@@fuchsia5899 I think we're talking about the same ones. The ones that are in old 70's hi-flyers phase 3's. I love the sound of them and jaguar is my favorite shape/feel
@@theDragoon007yaboiCJ lol yeah. But also, a really thin jag with double univox humbuckers isn't a nirvana thing for me. Nirvana just sort of lead to that idea. Plus, it's never been done. It would sound and look incredible. The super thin part would be a huge challenge. Those thinline jags are just not thin enough. And the hollow thing just isn't my thing.
@@Stuvoodoo Yeah haha that's what i thought. Nirvana also attracted me to jaguars, mustangs, univox/mosrites, the more obscure Gibson/Epiphones he would use, strats, teles, and all of those more traditional guitar shapes. A univox thickness jaguar shaped with univox humbuckers would sound great. Part of what makes a univox sound like a univox is how thin and light it is and also those unique hot humbuckers that I haven't found any other pickups that sound like it. And as a bonus, kurt Cobain used an aluminum guitar for Very Ape. So yeah that gives you an idea of how it would sound with all that bouncing-weird-but-cool hard to explain resonation
It's a great build, but I have some suggestions that might help improve it. First, you probably want a clear finish on the surface because the aluminum will corrode over time, and it would also help keep fingerprints off. You could try a simple coat of polyurethane or epoxy and polish it for a nice mirrored finish. However, some folk put a ceramic coating on their polished aluminum rims to keep road debris and salt from corroding them. You could try that as well. Secondly, you could try using a single push button with an illuminated cap that toggles three ways each time it's pressed. I can envision that it could complete a Terminator look if it had a red light, although I'm not sure how well it would work if you wanted to quickly switch between pickups. Lastly, I think a set of Lace Alumitone Humbuckers would be cat's pajamas on this guitar. They would at least give you the profile you're looking for since they are flat.
@@mykhedelic6471 I suppose so, although I doubt it would hardly get anything more than a subdued finish. Aluminum pearls washed up on the beach don't have any corrosion and have an ordinary brushed aluminum color, seems like the effect will be the same.
it won't corrode if cared for, and that care is just a quick wipe-down after use to remove the salts and oils from the player's hands. The outer layer of bare aluminum is an oxide that stops corrosion of the metal once it's formed, so as long as it's kept clean it will keep the surface from becoming damaged.
Feels like magic erasers would work well to keep the first fingerprint layer off. It’s so hard to touch high polish and it not be smudgy. Could learn to play with with gloves I guess. Like old ivory pipes yellow if you touch them so you still smoke out of them but use gloves. Weird shit only Dads use to do.
@kmoecub Perhaps if the instrument were placed in the environment where someone would typically put a guitar in their home, nothing would happen in terms of corrosion. It's surprising to know how a little salt and moisture can destroy an aluminum wheel, but this piece is not the same material and doesn't sit outside. I can't imagine something other than a tarnished finish would happen with the regular abuse in which a guitar at home takes part, even if it was never cleaned. Still, a coat of clear would stop all chances of corrosion and help with cleaning off fingerprints.
She is gorgeous. The black and aluminium color palette is incredible. She has an almost brutalist vibe, with all the small "imperfections"... Amazing work
Cool guitar mate, I have used silicone spray as a finish on cast aluminum after bead blasting when restoring motorcycles and had good results. Just spay it on and wipe off the excess. you also may run into trouble down the line with the frets, stainless can have an interaction with aluminum. I learned this the hard way when I used stainless rivets on my aluminum boat.
thank you very much for sharing it with us. I worked with light metal in a factory. Usually they cast it under pressure so you do not have the issues. for the surface there are many options. I like when the surface gets a little rough after a special process.
Thanks so much for the vid. I have been working on something similiar for over a year. Its good to see you having some of the same issues I have come across. I am using aluminum blanks for the neck and body, not smelted. I use a router, and saws both power and hand to shape it.
Simply amazing! I love your ideas and videos, thank you! Oh, and I like the voids too. They give the guitar more character, as if it needs more, lol! I love this! 🎶
You should look into Lace Alumatones for this. Those things are super thin and would complement this very well. Plus they sound pretty dang good. Great build!
The issues you mention can either be addressed or wouldn't be a deal breaker so I'd say thats a successful build. The #1 things with a guitar is how it sounds and how it plays. It looks great and you like the way it plays. Great job!
Just watched the other video and I love how it looks. It would be a beautiful contrast to have the knobs, hardware and accents made out of wood, like a negative image of a guitar.
Another amazing build. It’s probably been mentioned before, but it reminds me of a Veleno, an all-aluminum guitar from the ‘70s. Keith Levene (PiL) played one in Public Image Ltd.’s infamous appearance on American Bandstand. There’s a video here on RUclips.
Simply an amazing build....astounding what you were able to achieve. :) I do know that as far as the string trees for all strings, you can use a retainer bar that will cover all of the strings and you can screw it in to adjust the overall angle. Usually you see those used in conjunction with a floyd rose locking nut, but no reason I see you couldn't use it to make the break angle on this guitar. Worth looking into. :)
For the switch. A rocker switch would work because it’s low. But you would have to mod the teleplate. It looks great. I like the imperfections. It’s made of recycled cans!
I think it is beautiful!! You did a great job and learned something new and have options for upgrades if you decide to do it again! You should be proud of yourself....It's gorgeous even if the fingerprints are a hassle....
In the build video you mentioned the frets had a hard time going in. Since the aluminum does not deform nearly as easy as wood, the tangs on the frets bit into the slots and did not seat without using that metal hammer. If you do another aluminum neck, there are tools that help sand the tangs of the frets so that they go in a bit easier, without needing to widen the slot (causing other potential problems). This would help in the leveling process as you would be able to better avoid deforming the rounded face of the frets as well losing the radius they began with. Additionally, a fret clamp may be useful? Some guys prefer a hammer so that is your call, but they help with keeping the radius when pressing in. Beautiful work overall, really cool.
I found it interesting that you added fret wires to the fretboard... ...as I just watched a video about the Chapman Railboard (a Chapman stick model) a few hours ago - where they CNCd the frets out of the chunk of aluminum - leaving the frets after routing. Opposite approach to solving the problem. This was a great build and fun to watch. Thanks
For your blemishes in the alloy RUclips search "durafix aluminium welding rods" they are low temp welding rods. Fill your little pits then file and polish . To stop your hands staining the alloy use a ceramic coating . RUclips search "Spartan Executive Aircraft" and you will see a video talking about a ceramic coating for bare aluminium. John's 360 coatings
your second channel is NOT present in the related channels of your main one!! you should add it there also great work and awesome build!!! your level of skill is evident
If you ever do it again, maybe you can add some thickness to the back only in the areas of the cavities, rounded hills and 1/4" high. That will take care of the pickups and switch issues. Have your friend show you how to TIG weld and you can fill all the voids. On my motorcycle I polished the alluminum fork lowers to a mirror glass finish and clear coated them. The shine is still very good. Your fingerprints will be reduced greatly. GREAT BUILD!!!! GREAT VIDEO!
I really like what you did. It's a LOT of work for just an experiment--but you learned so much in the process! (I can relate to that, done it many times in my life!) Like you, I'm happy with the "flaws" in the casting. it adds to the character. It also reminds me of a guitar I once had that was made of a "burl" finished piece of wood. I would expect it to have good sustain, being solid metal. I'd be curious how it is after you fix the things that you pointed out, like the lower-profile p'ups (that's actually the only thing I would fix). I think when you get ready, anodizing it would be a great idea. With any luck, you'll get tired of the "shiny" finish. I'd love to see how you go about anodizing it--I've looked into it but never actually done it. You should add a nice dye to the water when you do it, like a nice blue. Anodizing it might make the neck a little better in terms of the surface--it looks like your hands would "stick" if they're moist at all, instead of sliding easily (like when you have a glossy neck, some people will sand them to get rid of that texture). (I still can't believe the amount of grinding and sanding you did on that hunk of aluminum! That part wore me out just watching!) My only problem, in terms of playing it myself, would be the weight. Over 12 pounds is just too heavy for me! Even the thought of it makes my neck hurt. (But I guess the way you play it, you don't use a strap.) But, that's really only because I have problems with my neck, even after having 3 cervical vertebrae fused--I've recovered from that surgery, but I think that weight would hurt, especially after playing for awhile. Overall, good concept, and EXCELEENT execution of the idea! Awesome research. Keep it up! I look forward to your other videos!
I really dig it & the voids in it help give it cool character. As far as the pickups go, load up some lower output pickups and you’ll be fine there. Now I see the problem with the headstock but it still looks amazing.
real good project man, you killed it do some research into acid treatment for metal, maybe you could stylize a bit with that and bring thoses "imperfections" into something even more amazing
I think the voids are cool. I’d do a matte finish on a piece like this. It’s how I finish my titanium knife handles prior to anodizing to prevent fingerprints.
You could whip up a threaded sleeve for that switch pretty easy. I think it looks fabulous sticking up like that. You could find some tube aluminum and simply thread out the ID to match. It would look really clean.
Those little imperfections give its unique character! If you allow me, perhaps consider: 1. A string retainer at the neck just behind the nut could improve the string angle, similar to what you see on Floyd Rose style guitars. 2. Mini toggle switches to control the pickups.
This thing sounds terrific (watch the build video you get to hear it at the end). There use to be a guitar called a Travis Bean that had an aluminum neck, with a wood body. It didn't sound this good, though. They were around in the 70's, and maybe early 80's. They were used at the time by a lot of big-name players because they wouldn't go out of tune when the big spotlights hit them, which was an issue (and still is) if you had a vintage guitar that used hide glue on the fingerboard to neck joint. Rogue put out a guitar a while back that had an aluminum body, with a wood neck. From what I understand, it sounded killer. I have seen a couple of other of your builds, but this is my favorite (so far).
Very cool build. The small defects in the finish are a style in itself. It's kind of like relicing but for metal, and more about how it was actually made than faking how it's been used. Aluminium necks seem to be getting more popular but it might also depend on what kind of music you are in to. They seem more popular in some more extreme metal genres like doom and drone metal and other stuff like that. About pickups: You could make your own and get them to fit the formfactor you want/need. If you are able to build your own tools to melt and cast aluminium, you are probably able to build pickups too. An finally... One of my pet peeves that I'm just not able to not say: The jack on the guitar is used te get the signal out of the guitar... So it's more of an output jack than input. But anyway... Really, really, really nice build.
That is so cool, the sheer thought of now having an instrument that is actually is a condensed representation of all the great moments you had with friends: back yard drinks, some nice summer BBQ's, cans emptied when watching the game / race whatever or having a talk that mattered. There is a lot of memories condensed into that guitar if you think of it. Maybe the voids have their place in that respect.. It's looking great, turned out really well!
Thanks for the follow up video for this. As i said in my other comment, look into the Travis Bean guitars and the paint they use on their necks to keep them from moving when the temp get cold or too warm, aluminum wants to expand. They use Irma paint (i think is how its spelled) on back of their necks and it stopped that from happening on these new ones. Their older ones without this paint tended to suffer from tuning issues with temp changes. Just thought id throw that out there if your still brain storming. Thanks again :-)
Very cool! Next step is doing the whole guitar as a single piece of aluminum! 🤪 You could have someone turn a sleeve for the switch. I would have probably used a single piece for the spacers you used for the machineheads too.
A black plastic or rubber cap to fit over the threads would hide them nicely, and match the black knobs. Some of the small imperfections add character I think. For the larger more unsightly ones perhaps for your friend could add some weld, and you could polish them smooth. Overall I really like this guitar. It's very unique, and quite attractive.
LOVE the voids and "imperfections" in this, looks amazing. The thin body looks wonderful, but definitely limiting in the hardware options. I'm curious how much the tuning changes with temperature changes. a recycled instrument of this quality? Badass! \m/
If you decide you don't like the voids just have your TIG welder friend come back. I thought it was odd you didn't have him fix them when he fixed the back, but they do add character.
i kind of really dig the small imperfections. its almost a sort of "relic". i would just do a few coats of super glue on the spots on the neck and sand down so to not feel them. you did an an amazing job and i hope to have my own all aluminum guitar one day!
Ibanez use some seemingly low-profile toggle switches in some models(or they just have enough body depth to hide more of the bushing), maybe you could look around to see where they get them? All their current RGD models use the ones I'm thinking of. And a pickup suggestion to keep up with the aluminum theme for this: Lace Alumitones. They're also a bit shorter in height than a regular humbucker, just shy off 1 inch, so they will fit better than the SD Invaders
the voids give it so much character! as long as they dont affect the playability it makes it 1000x cooler than something solid that has been milled. imo ofc
I much prefer all the little blemishes. I like the brutalist look.
💯
More voids would be cool
Agreed! Love those. Personally, I'd enjoy a bit more torn apart look with more holes in the body, filled out with epoxy.... Battle-worn Terminator T-1000 style. Hmmm...
Yeah the void gives a great tone.
It's beautiful! You really went all out on the casting to get such a good result out of cans, great job.
I absolutely LOVE how thin it is. It's my dream to have a super thin jaguar with vintage univox humbuckers. This aluminum build is phenomenal. Great job
You mean those Univox yellowish uncovered humbuckers?
@@fuchsia5899 I think we're talking about the same ones. The ones that are in old 70's hi-flyers phase 3's. I love the sound of them and jaguar is my favorite shape/feel
nirvana fan spotted
@@theDragoon007yaboiCJ lol yeah. But also, a really thin jag with double univox humbuckers isn't a nirvana thing for me. Nirvana just sort of lead to that idea. Plus, it's never been done. It would sound and look incredible. The super thin part would be a huge challenge. Those thinline jags are just not thin enough. And the hollow thing just isn't my thing.
@@Stuvoodoo Yeah haha that's what i thought. Nirvana also attracted me to jaguars, mustangs, univox/mosrites, the more obscure Gibson/Epiphones he would use, strats, teles, and all of those more traditional guitar shapes. A univox thickness jaguar shaped with univox humbuckers would sound great. Part of what makes a univox sound like a univox is how thin and light it is and also those unique hot humbuckers that I haven't found any other pickups that sound like it. And as a bonus, kurt Cobain used an aluminum guitar for Very Ape. So yeah that gives you an idea of how it would sound with all that bouncing-weird-but-cool hard to explain resonation
It's a great build, but I have some suggestions that might help improve it. First, you probably want a clear finish on the surface because the aluminum will corrode over time, and it would also help keep fingerprints off. You could try a simple coat of polyurethane or epoxy and polish it for a nice mirrored finish. However, some folk put a ceramic coating on their polished aluminum rims to keep road debris and salt from corroding them. You could try that as well.
Secondly, you could try using a single push button with an illuminated cap that toggles three ways each time it's pressed. I can envision that it could complete a Terminator look if it had a red light, although I'm not sure how well it would work if you wanted to quickly switch between pickups.
Lastly, I think a set of Lace Alumitone Humbuckers would be cat's pajamas on this guitar. They would at least give you the profile you're looking for since they are flat.
The corrosion is gonna look badass.
@@mykhedelic6471 I suppose so, although I doubt it would hardly get anything more than a subdued finish. Aluminum pearls washed up on the beach don't have any corrosion and have an ordinary brushed aluminum color, seems like the effect will be the same.
it won't corrode if cared for, and that care is just a quick wipe-down after use to remove the salts and oils from the player's hands. The outer layer of bare aluminum is an oxide that stops corrosion of the metal once it's formed, so as long as it's kept clean it will keep the surface from becoming damaged.
Feels like magic erasers would work well to keep the first fingerprint layer off.
It’s so hard to touch high polish and it not be smudgy. Could learn to play with with gloves I guess. Like old ivory pipes yellow if you touch them so you still smoke out of them but use gloves. Weird shit only Dads use to do.
@kmoecub Perhaps if the instrument were placed in the environment where someone would typically put a guitar in their home, nothing would happen in terms of corrosion. It's surprising to know how a little salt and moisture can destroy an aluminum wheel, but this piece is not the same material and doesn't sit outside. I can't imagine something other than a tarnished finish would happen with the regular abuse in which a guitar at home takes part, even if it was never cleaned. Still, a coat of clear would stop all chances of corrosion and help with cleaning off fingerprints.
She is gorgeous. The black and aluminium color palette is incredible. She has an almost brutalist vibe, with all the small "imperfections"... Amazing work
This guitar belongs in a 80's sci-fi movie like Terminator
I like the voids. I think it shows that it was a solid casting and adds an imperfect ‘character’ to the piece. Really nice tone, as well. Very nice.
@Lessko Brandon he played it at the end of his build video
@@lesskobrandon his other channel
This guitar is beautiful. Watching this channel and progression of your talent has been awesome
Love watching you make these, your knowledge and passion is awesome.
Cool guitar mate, I have used silicone spray as a finish on cast aluminum after bead blasting when restoring motorcycles and had good results. Just spay it on and wipe off the excess. you also may run into trouble down the line with the frets, stainless can have an interaction with aluminum. I learned this the hard way when I used stainless rivets on my aluminum boat.
What great videos! That was fun to watch and creates so many ideas. What a beautiful project and many thanks to you showing us the journey
I watched your other vid also. It looks like a fun project and sounds MUCH better than I expected! NICE!!!
thank you very much for sharing it with us. I worked with light metal in a factory. Usually they cast it under pressure so you do not have the issues. for the surface there are many options. I like when the surface gets a little rough after a special process.
Daniel Arsham would absolutely love the guitar with all the voids in it. Fantastic build. Your skill is impeccable as always 💯
Thanks so much for the vid. I have been working on something similiar for over a year. Its good to see you having some of the same issues I have come across. I am using aluminum blanks for the neck and body, not smelted. I use a router, and saws both power and hand to shape it.
I think the switch is awesome my guy. Stands out and gives the axe character that simply can't be found elsewhere. 10/10 all day!
Simply amazing! I love your ideas and videos, thank you! Oh, and I like the voids too. They give the guitar more character, as if it needs more, lol! I love this! 🎶
Sounds great in the build video, really surprised it's invaders in there. I love all the fixes you've made to it. Super impressive.
You should look into Lace Alumatones for this. Those things are super thin and would complement this very well. Plus they sound pretty dang good. Great build!
The issues you mention can either be addressed or wouldn't be a deal breaker so I'd say thats a successful build. The #1 things with a guitar is how it sounds and how it plays. It looks great and you like the way it plays. Great job!
the imperfections along the edges give it a Road Worn look that also makes it look like its seen a Bar Fight or two as well!
i really like that casted look. The voids really make it. I really really dig the “imperfections”
I don't even know how to play the guitar, but I am definitely in love with what you built! If I could afford it, I would definitely buy one!
The voids give it character, well done mate!
The voids give it character and an authentic feel
Beautiful work
Amazing job! Looking forward to hear how it plays!
its so beautiful omfg. ive never seen a more beautiful guitar
the voids are the best part. I'm a little annoyed you didn't express your preference for them xD
love your videos, they inspired me to make my own bass from a diy kit
Travis Bean would be proud. I am in the camp that likes the small imperfections. Fantastic job.
Incredible. Well done
Just watched the other video and I love how it looks. It would be a beautiful contrast to have the knobs, hardware and accents made out of wood, like a negative image of a guitar.
I can watch smelting vids all day, and gtr builds, and you just answered my anodizing question. Great vid great axe
Looks like an Ibanez S. I love those things. This is actually one of the coolest looking guitars I've ever seen.
It looks awesome and sounds great.
I like the strat style body but tele style controls.
Awesome build, I bet that guitar has sustain for days! Would love to hear more on how the guitar sounds tone-wise due to the solid aluminum body.
Yeah - I was wondering about the sustain. Weighs about as much as a Les Paul, which has great sustain.
The voids are amazing it gives a character
Excellent work
Another amazing build. It’s probably been mentioned before, but it reminds me of a Veleno, an all-aluminum guitar from the ‘70s. Keith Levene (PiL) played one in Public Image Ltd.’s infamous appearance on American Bandstand. There’s a video here on RUclips.
Simply an amazing build....astounding what you were able to achieve. :)
I do know that as far as the string trees for all strings, you can use a retainer bar that will cover all of the strings and you can screw it in to adjust the overall angle. Usually you see those used in conjunction with a floyd rose locking nut, but no reason I see you couldn't use it to make the break angle on this guitar. Worth looking into. :)
Those little imperfections don't just give the guitar character, it's a reminder that you made it.
the slight imperfections give it character and its own personality
For the switch. A rocker switch would work because it’s low. But you would have to mod the teleplate. It looks great. I like the imperfections. It’s made of recycled cans!
The imperfections are part of what I like about it.
I think it is beautiful!! You did a great job and learned something new and have options for upgrades if you decide to do it again! You should be proud of yourself....It's gorgeous even if the fingerprints are a hassle....
great work mate
Voids are perfect!
the voids on this thing is what makes it art
The voids look cool man dont sweat it! It makes it cool!
The time i hear it play it sound wonderful!
its gorgeous
In the build video you mentioned the frets had a hard time going in. Since the aluminum does not deform nearly as easy as wood, the tangs on the frets bit into the slots and did not seat without using that metal hammer. If you do another aluminum neck, there are tools that help sand the tangs of the frets so that they go in a bit easier, without needing to widen the slot (causing other potential problems). This would help in the leveling process as you would be able to better avoid deforming the rounded face of the frets as well losing the radius they began with. Additionally, a fret clamp may be useful? Some guys prefer a hammer so that is your call, but they help with keeping the radius when pressing in. Beautiful work overall, really cool.
I found it interesting that you added fret wires to the fretboard...
...as I just watched a video about the Chapman Railboard (a Chapman stick model) a few hours ago - where they CNCd the frets out of the chunk of aluminum - leaving the frets after routing. Opposite approach to solving the problem.
This was a great build and fun to watch. Thanks
Aluminium frets would wear *incredibly* quickly unless it maybe used a fancy alloy.
the imperfections kind make this guitar look really cool
What a great job. You did not make it to look perfect, easy to make and explained all issues without sugar coating it. this is real.
For your blemishes in the alloy RUclips search "durafix aluminium welding rods" they are low temp welding rods. Fill your little pits then file and polish .
To stop your hands staining the alloy use a ceramic coating . RUclips search "Spartan Executive Aircraft" and you will see a video talking about a ceramic coating for bare aluminium.
John's 360 coatings
amazing!! love it
your second channel is NOT present in the related channels of your main one!! you should add it there
also great work and awesome build!!! your level of skill is evident
If you ever do it again, maybe you can add some thickness to the back only in the areas of the cavities, rounded hills and 1/4" high. That will take care of the pickups and switch issues. Have your friend show you how to TIG weld and you can fill all the voids. On my motorcycle I polished the alluminum fork lowers to a mirror glass finish and clear coated them. The shine is still very good. Your fingerprints will be reduced greatly. GREAT BUILD!!!! GREAT VIDEO!
I really like what you did. It's a LOT of work for just an experiment--but you learned so much in the process! (I can relate to that, done it many times in my life!) Like you, I'm happy with the "flaws" in the casting. it adds to the character. It also reminds me of a guitar I once had that was made of a "burl" finished piece of wood.
I would expect it to have good sustain, being solid metal. I'd be curious how it is after you fix the things that you pointed out, like the lower-profile p'ups (that's actually the only thing I would fix).
I think when you get ready, anodizing it would be a great idea. With any luck, you'll get tired of the "shiny" finish. I'd love to see how you go about anodizing it--I've looked into it but never actually done it. You should add a nice dye to the water when you do it, like a nice blue. Anodizing it might make the neck a little better in terms of the surface--it looks like your hands would "stick" if they're moist at all, instead of sliding easily (like when you have a glossy neck, some people will sand them to get rid of that texture).
(I still can't believe the amount of grinding and sanding you did on that hunk of aluminum! That part wore me out just watching!)
My only problem, in terms of playing it myself, would be the weight. Over 12 pounds is just too heavy for me! Even the thought of it makes my neck hurt. (But I guess the way you play it, you don't use a strap.) But, that's really only because I have problems with my neck, even after having 3 cervical vertebrae fused--I've recovered from that surgery, but I think that weight would hurt, especially after playing for awhile.
Overall, good concept, and EXCELEENT execution of the idea! Awesome research. Keep it up!
I look forward to your other videos!
Very cool build, beautiful! I would recommend Lace Alumiton pickups. Low profile and same material. 👍😊💚🎸
I really dig it & the voids in it help give it cool character.
As far as the pickups go, load up some lower output pickups and you’ll be fine there.
Now I see the problem with the headstock but it still looks amazing.
I think it is absolutely beautiful. 100%
Nice to see these details... Make some videos about the other projects?
Insane guitar! It's like the TERMINATOR ❤
real good project man, you killed it
do some research into acid treatment for metal, maybe you could stylize a bit with that and bring thoses "imperfections" into something even more amazing
I think the voids are cool. I’d do a matte finish on a piece like this. It’s how I finish my titanium knife handles prior to anodizing to prevent fingerprints.
You could whip up a threaded sleeve for that switch pretty easy. I think it looks fabulous sticking up like that. You could find some tube aluminum and simply thread out the ID to match. It would look really clean.
Those little imperfections give its unique character!
If you allow me, perhaps consider:
1. A string retainer at the neck just behind the nut could improve the string angle, similar to what you see on Floyd Rose style guitars.
2. Mini toggle switches to control the pickups.
SICK Guitar my man!!!!
Anodizing any dyeing the guitar might also look cool.
However, it is great as it is. Outstanding work!
It's already reliced guitar sounds good !
This thing sounds terrific (watch the build video you get to hear it at the end).
There use to be a guitar called a Travis Bean that had an aluminum neck, with a wood body. It didn't sound this good, though. They were around in the 70's, and maybe early 80's. They were used at the time by a lot of big-name players because they wouldn't go out of tune when the big spotlights hit them, which was an issue (and still is) if you had a vintage guitar that used hide glue on the fingerboard to neck joint.
Rogue put out a guitar a while back that had an aluminum body, with a wood neck. From what I understand, it sounded killer.
I have seen a couple of other of your builds, but this is my favorite (so far).
Very cool build. The small defects in the finish are a style in itself. It's kind of like relicing but for metal, and more about how it was actually made than faking how it's been used. Aluminium necks seem to be getting more popular but it might also depend on what kind of music you are in to. They seem more popular in some more extreme metal genres like doom and drone metal and other stuff like that.
About pickups: You could make your own and get them to fit the formfactor you want/need. If you are able to build your own tools to melt and cast aluminium, you are probably able to build pickups too.
An finally... One of my pet peeves that I'm just not able to not say: The jack on the guitar is used te get the signal out of the guitar... So it's more of an output jack than input.
But anyway... Really, really, really nice build.
It's definitely a learning process you can do this again!
its beautiful
That is so cool, the sheer thought of now having an instrument that is actually is a condensed representation of all the great moments you had with friends: back yard drinks, some nice summer BBQ's, cans emptied when watching the game / race whatever or having a talk that mattered.
There is a lot of memories condensed into that guitar if you think of it. Maybe the voids have their place in that respect.. It's looking great, turned out really well!
Very cool Guitar! 🤘😎🎸
Oh man this guitars seems like the perfect build for some Lace Alumitone pickups!
Loved it.
Thanks for the follow up video for this. As i said in my other comment, look into the Travis Bean guitars and the paint they use on their necks to keep them from moving when the temp get cold or too warm, aluminum wants to expand. They use Irma paint (i think is how its spelled) on back of their necks and it stopped that from happening on these new ones. Their older ones without this paint tended to suffer from tuning issues with temp changes. Just thought id throw that out there if your still brain storming. Thanks again :-)
This is a very metal guitar. Literally.
Looks like an excellent metal guitar...
Very cool! Next step is doing the whole guitar as a single piece of aluminum! 🤪
You could have someone turn a sleeve for the switch. I would have probably used a single piece for the spacers you used for the machineheads too.
A black plastic or rubber cap to fit over the threads would hide them nicely, and match the black knobs. Some of the small imperfections add character I think. For the larger more unsightly ones perhaps for your friend could add some weld, and you could polish them smooth. Overall I really like this guitar. It's very unique, and quite attractive.
so good!
I love the imperfections and un-anodized (which I like on bike rims).
Thanks for the feedback and expect more videos soon. Send me a text above🔝 I have something for you.
LOVE the voids and "imperfections" in this, looks amazing. The thin body looks wonderful, but definitely limiting in the hardware options.
I'm curious how much the tuning changes with temperature changes.
a recycled instrument of this quality? Badass!
\m/
Metal knob upgrade would be cool. You can add a collar or nut to the top of that 3 way switch to make it look better and is cheap fast fix.
this is a cool guitar good job
If you decide you don't like the voids just have your TIG welder friend come back. I thought it was odd you didn't have him fix them when he fixed the back, but they do add character.
i kind of really dig the small imperfections. its almost a sort of "relic". i would just do a few coats of super glue on the spots on the neck and sand down so to not feel them. you did an an amazing job and i hope to have my own all aluminum guitar one day!
I love the voids, personally. It gives it a feeling of being an ancient artifact of a long-gone robot civilization something
I too like the voids & imperfections. Makes it human.
Ibanez use some seemingly low-profile toggle switches in some models(or they just have enough body depth to hide more of the bushing), maybe you could look around to see where they get them? All their current RGD models use the ones I'm thinking of.
And a pickup suggestion to keep up with the aluminum theme for this: Lace Alumitones. They're also a bit shorter in height than a regular humbucker, just shy off 1 inch, so they will fit better than the SD Invaders
Would love to see a second aluminum guitar made of two separate(top/back) castings, joined in a cool way. Maybe even with an epoxy layer in between.
You could get some set screws to replace those bolts on the pickups. Then you would have more space.
Beautiful work! I'm curious if the neck gives way at all with stringing, allowing some relief for a good setup.
It looks like a piece of machinery and that’s badass imo
could you make a video about how your guitars age? if the epoxy yellows over time, how well do the unusual materials age and things like that