Homemade Guitars: How I Discovered My Love for Crafting
Discovering Homemade Guitars: A Musical Odyssey
Hey there! I’m Serge, a proud Canadian on a harmonious journey that revolves around music, life’s adventures, and the enchanting world of homemade guitars.
Well, not only homemade but also travel guitars and cigar box guitars and … any guitars, I would say.
Music has always been a constant in my life. It all started when I picked up my first guitar and fell in love with the instrument. From playing in my school band to jamming with friends, music quickly became more than just a hobby—it was a way to express myself. Over the years, my passion for guitars grew stronger, and that led me down a path of experimentation, both musically and creatively
My love for guitars, from building cigar box guitars to exploring the history of travel instruments, has been a constant creative force in my life. But what good is a guitar without the music it brings to life? That’s why I’m excited to introduce a new section on my site: Music I Love. Here, I’ll explore some of my favorite songs, albums, and legendary performers that have inspired me along the way. It’s a place to share stories behind classic tracks like Led Zeppelin’s Gallows Pole or Creedence Clearwater Revival’s unforgettable rendition of Heard It Through the Grapevine. Think of it as a personal mixtape of music that has shaped my guitar journey — a chance to celebrate the soundtracks of my DIY adventures.
Strumming Through Memory Lane: The Early Days
Picture this: once upon a time, I was the rhythmic heartbeat of a school band, lost in the tunes of my first love—music. Then life unfolded—jobs, a life partner, and the pitter-patter of little feet orchestrating the soundtrack of my days. My beloved hobby took a back seat. Ring any bells?
Chasing Melodies Through Time: The Vanishing Act of My First Guitar
Somewhere in the symphony of life, my first guitar, a dainty 6-string acoustic gift from my beloved aunt, disappeared into the mists of time. I was a mere 12-year-old, blissfully unaware of life’s twists that would momentarily stray from my musical path.
A Nostalgic Resonance: The Aria Acoustic Revival
Fast forward to a chapter where the kids have spread their wings, leaving behind an echo of emptiness. It was then that I decided to rekindle the old flame. Enter the Aria acoustic guitar—a budget-friendly ticket to a nostalgia trip. Playing it felt like a joyous reunion with my musical roots.
Harmonizing with a Kindred Spirit: The Birth of Jam Sessions
Enter a kindred spirit, another soul entwined with the irresistible pull of guitar melodies. Our jam sessions became a regular affair, and amid those harmonies, the idea of a new guitar began to strum its way into my thoughts.
Crafting Soundscapes: The Inception of Homemade Guitars
No guitar virtuoso, the idea of splurging on a top-tier instrument felt a tad excessive, even psychologically. And so, the seed of a new venture took root—I would craft my own guitar. Thus began my first project on the homemade guitars field, a “Tele,” not just a musical companion but a testament to the joy of creating something with your own hands. To make this project happen I purchased a TC-10 guitar kit of Saga Music company.
Building Cigar Box Guitars: A Creative Outlet
One of my favorite DIY projects has been making cigar box guitars. These guitars bring together simplicity and creativity in a way that always excites me. Over the years, I’ve built many of them, each with its own unique character. From selecting the perfect box to crafting the neck and frets, the process offers endless opportunities for experimentation. Even now, I continue to build more cigar box guitars, blending tradition with innovation. It’s become a creative outlet that complements my love for music.
From DIY Homemade Guitars to Travel Guitars
In the beginning, my focus was on DIY guitars. Building my own instruments from scratch was an exciting way to blend my love for music and craftsmanship. I spent hours designing and tweaking custom guitars, always seeking that perfect sound. But as time went on, I found myself drawn to the world of small-size travel guitars. They offer the portability and versatility I now value more, especially with my busy lifestyle. Travel guitars have become my new obsession, even though I still tinker with DIY projects from time to time.
Why Travel Guitars?
Travel guitars are more than just compact instruments—they’re gateways to musical freedom. They’ve opened up new possibilities for me, allowing me to take my music anywhere I go without compromising on sound quality. The convenience of being able to grab my guitar and hit the road is unmatched. Plus, the innovation behind some of these designs amazes me. My focus has shifted toward exploring and reviewing these travel-friendly instruments, but I still carry the craftsmanship and attention to detail from my DIY days into my approach.
Looking Ahead: A Blend of Past and Present
As I look ahead, I see myself continuing to balance both worlds: the craftsmanship of DIY guitars and the excitement of travel guitars. My love for music hasn’t changed, but my tools and instruments have evolved. Whether it’s creating my next custom build or testing out the latest travel guitar, I’m always learning something new. This journey is far from over, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
Warm Greetings Serge,
I was wondering if you are open to exchange links? If you have specific prepared content, I’m happy to use it. The code for our link is available on the bottom of our website’s “Links” page.
FYI: we make electric guitar and bass upgrade products for Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazz Bass and other instruments that give you more unique pickup tones from your upgraded instrument. See our website “Comments” page to see what Adrian Belew, Bernie Torme, Redd Volkaert and many other players think about our products.
Perhaps you would like to receive an upgrade to review and keep? If you do, just provide the shipping address and it will be sent to you.
Thanking you in advance for your kind reply.
Hi there.
And sorry for the delay.
I would place the back link to your website with pleasure.
It will be placed at the “links” page. Similar to yours.
Just let me know the URL of the link, the link title and the brief description.
My info would be:
URL: https://diyguitar.ca
Title: “DIY Guitar”
Description/slogan: “You can never have enough guitars”.
Regards.
Serge.