Post #513946 by TikiMango on Sat, Feb 27, 2010 9:24 PM

So as I've stated before, this was a very different project for me. I had a lot of fun making it, and it probably won't be my last one. Looking through all the great work on this site, spread over the years, its really, really hard for me as an artist to create something new and different. Though other artists here don't seem to have a problem creating something that leaves me dumbstruck and in awe on a regular basis. I've read throughout the forums that it is always amazing to see the creative energy and talents of everyone that helps to grow and evolve the genre of "tiki art". I hope my meager attempts are enough to do my part.

So a little back ground on this. I've always wanted to make a functional piece of art, and was inspired by works like Kirby's USB Tiki, the slit gongs of JohnnyP, and Tahitian drums of Bay Park Buzzy. Then I searched to see what other functional art existed here, and noticed a lack of stringed instruments.

Enough blabber, on to the pictures!

Here it is, the Manaia of Rock guitar.

Sorry the stand is in the way, there's no one around to hold it. I'm really surprised that no one guessed "guitar" when I was posting the teaser in-progress images. If someone out there figured it out, thanks for not spoiling my fun.

Here's the headstock with two more manaia figures, with inlaid eyes.

A smidgen closer...

Faux tortoise shell pick-guard. I hope the strap matches...

Its really hard to take a shot without the flash.

Here's the back plate, also faux tortoise shell.

So this guitar started out as a practice piece, but has turned into a "Frankenstein" project to be sure! It was turning out so well that I had to make it playable. The body is a basswood Yamaha Pacifica Stratocaster style, dating back to the mid-90's. It was a real pain to remove the original finish and sand down to get rid of a few major scratches. It had been in the hands of a few others, and had a few unusual routed out areas to the say the least. The neck is a new one, rosewood fret board over maple, which I think is pretty standard. Being a Yamaha and not a Fender meant that there was a lot of footwork required to resurrect the body into a playable guitar. Diggin' in graveyards is not my thing, mainly because I have zero musical ability or exposure. I was way in over my head when it came to component selection and sewing all the body parts together, but I had a few local friends that were willing to help me out.

I opted to make something that someone wouldn't mind hanging on their wall as "art", yet were still capable of playing a decent song or two if they wanted to. I'm sure if someone wanted to use this as their regular Gig Guitar, they'd gut the electronics and play Mad Doctor on their own to get the sound they were after. Here's a couple links to vids I have on Facebook so you can hear how it sounds.
http://www.facebook.com/TikiMango?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=1338169971035
http://www.facebook.com/TikiMango?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=1338170451047

Thanks for looking and putting up with me. :wink:

Rock on Ohana!

Pupule Tiki!

[ Edited by: TikiMango 2010-02-27 21:50 ]