Repurposed Guitar
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I don’t remember when I’ve been so excited to show you a project! You know I love a good repurpose, and saving stuff from the garbage. This might be one of my all-time favorites!
This clock was a curb find several months ago. I tried to do another project with it using some bead board. The bead board was too thick to allow the hands to move freely, so I put the clock parts away.
While I was out of town helping Jamie with her deck rebuild, and her benches my friend Marianne scooped this guitar out of the neighbor’s garbage for me.
I had planned to make a clock out of the guitar all along. I have always loved clocks of all kinds. I had been looking for a song book to decoupage onto this guitar. Along comes the DIY Club September party, Mod Podge! So it was time to gather all my supplies and get started.
I decided to do this project in the house due to the fact that it has been in the 90’s again.
While talking to cousin Terry and Jamie about how I was going to work on the guitar, I would refer to the “handle” and the “top part”, etc. I decided to look a picture so that I don’t offend musicians that happen to read my blog.
Because the pick guard was raised, I thought it might be difficult to decoupage, so I removed it. I also removed the saddle bridge, not knowing if I would replace it after I decoupage or not.
These kids really had abused this poor thing!
I always like to prime my projects before I decoupage in case I miss a tiny little spot. My Mod Podge is older than the hills!
As you can imagine I don’t have any “in progress” pictures due to the messiness of the project! I was not about to pick up my camera. The sheet music I used came from some Radio Shack song books. I thought they were Jamie’s but she said she doesn’t remember them, so they may have been a curb find.
I painted the neck of the guitar Crisp Linen White.
I needed something to attach the clock box to and cover up the soundhole. I had been ripping some cd’s to my computer and this little protective piece just happened to be on the coffee table. You can see it is pure brilliance! Sometimes I even amaze myself how I repurpose items!
I used a full sheet of the music. I decoupaged it, then after it dried I trimmed the excess off.
I rummaged around some of Jamie’s old things to find these guitar picks. She bought these before she even knew she was moving to Nashville.
While talking to Jamie on the phone she mentioned that maybe the guitar should have a “pop” of red. I love that I have friends and family to bounce things off of. You know, it just helps to talk through the things that don’t seem to be working. I had planned on painting the picks black, but realized I don’t have any black spray paint. (what kind of DIY’er doesn’t have black spray paint on hand) However I did have some red, so after she mentioned that, I said “great, I have red”. So, red it was! (Thanks sis for giving me all that spray paint last year)
I have some 3M products that Regina gave me. They really have come in handy. This double sticky tape is “permanent”.
I put two small pieces on the clock works to hold the clock face.
I reattached the hands. See how perfect this was for the face! Look closely at the words of the song, Only time.
I gave it a dry fit to make sure it was going to work.
Then I tested to see where I wanted to put the picks . . . on the clock face?
Or on the body of the guitar? I sent these pictures to Jamie to ask her opinion.
Because the clock face sat a little higher near the neck than it did on the body, I could afford for it to be lifted slightly. I used another 3M product I got from Regina, sticky Velcro. This way the clock face can be removed to change the battery.
To adhere the picks, I turned to the trusted Gorilla Glue. Whoa… you talk about strong QUICK hold! I needed to adjust the bottom pick but, it was too late! It was s-t-u-c-k!
voila! My newest clock, made from a trashed guitar!
The clock keeps great time!
Look at that shape! I wish I looked so good.
I painted the head black.
Because the clock is attached with velcro, this guitar clock can be displayed vertically, horizontally or even diagonally.
I accidentally broke the saddle bridge while removing it from the guitar. I used Gorilla Wood Glue to repair it.
I clamped it, now it’s good as new.
In this picture I have temporarily reattached the saddle bridge. I sort of like the fact that it breaks up the bottom of the body, but not sure if I will attach it permanently or not. I may have put it a little high? Any ideas/thoughts about that? I don’t think I should replace the pick guard, do you? Because once I attach it with Gorilla Glue, it’s NOT going anywhere!
I may keep this, if I do, I’m sure I will hang it on the wall. Won’t it look awesome hanging?
Total cost of this project? nothing, zero, nada, zilch! I had everything on hand, thanks to my wonderful family and friends!
gail
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Sylvia says
May 30, 2016 at 5:02 pmWow this turned out very well. Here it is six years later and I am just about to start a similar project and came across your blog. Great tutuorial and inspirational. I love it that you just happen to have everything available.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
May 30, 2016 at 8:16 pmGood luck with your project, and I’m so happy you found my tutorial!
gail
Sue Christensen says
June 9, 2015 at 1:46 pmWhat a fun idea to re-purpose your guitar! I need a new DIY project this summer. I have a few used guitars that aren’t worth what they cost to fix. Re-purposing it sounds like a fun and unique idea. Thanks for your tutorial!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 9, 2015 at 3:19 pmHappy you stopped by Sue to check out my repurposed guitar! I love to inspire others to think outside the box.
gail
Toqua's Crafts says
June 27, 2012 at 4:26 pmAnd… nearly 2 years later… another comment.
What a GREAT save on that guitar! To look at it now you’d never guess what the kids had done to it.
The sheet music, “Only Time” absolutely PERFECT!
I love the red!
I’m sure now it is way too late to weigh in on the bridge… LOL… but… I like how it balances the black of the head. I would have moved it down slightly.
Thank you for linking this up to your post at A Glimpse Inside with your Americana Flag or I may never have seen this!
Eric Donovan says
August 30, 2011 at 4:30 pmThis was an AMAZING idea! I currently own 8 guitars, and I think I am going to do the same thing (if you don’t mind), then hang it up on the wall between all the others in my “man cave”….right near the pool table 😉 If you have any other cool ideas, let me know!
miscellaneousme says
April 22, 2011 at 3:29 pmOMG! It’s wonderful!
What a great upcycle! Congrats on a job well done!!
Cara
http://miscellaneousme.wordpress.com
The DIY Show Off says
September 19, 2010 at 1:45 pmYou are so clever! This is awesome! Great job!
Roeshel
freckled laundry says
September 8, 2010 at 12:24 amThis is awesome! You are so stinkin’ creative!
Jami
Funky Junk Interiors says
September 5, 2010 at 2:57 pmNow aren’t you clever! It would have never dawned on me to flip a guitar into a clock. Very cool indeed!
Donna
Laura says
September 5, 2010 at 3:36 amHoly cow this is amazing! Great job.
Garilyn says
September 5, 2010 at 2:07 amGreat project! Love the red on the black and white.
Marge of Emmas Nook and Granny says
September 4, 2010 at 11:30 pmStunning!! So very clever, too!!
Mod Podge Amy says
September 4, 2010 at 4:35 pmThis is so cool!
Amanda says
September 4, 2010 at 1:07 pmThis is brilliant Gail, featured you this morning 🙂
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/guitar-turned-clock/
Nita {ModVintageLife} says
September 4, 2010 at 5:50 amHow in credibly cute. Who would have ever thought? I love the color scheme – black and white with just a pop of red.
Melissa says
September 4, 2010 at 3:18 amThat is totally my kind of project!!
Pam says
September 3, 2010 at 11:05 pmWow….neat. I am with Sharley, your blog is my fav.
Sharley says
September 3, 2010 at 5:50 pmYou are amazing! Your blog is my absolute favorite! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ericka says
September 3, 2010 at 4:31 amThis is so clever! I love how it turned out, great job!
Jenni says
September 3, 2010 at 4:04 amWow, that is amazing! You are so creative, and I love how you used sheet music to cover the guitar! 🙂
Thank you for your sweet comment about both the cabinet and the floor! And my jaw dropped to the floor when I read what you said about the Feature Followers Friday! Thank you so much! What an honor! 🙂
Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants says
September 3, 2010 at 3:30 amI love it! My daughter is all into playing the guitar, she would love to have one of those!
Susan says
September 3, 2010 at 3:30 amHey…That’s awesome! My husband is a musician and this would look great in his studio! you got me thinkin!
randee says
September 3, 2010 at 1:23 amthe time has come for a clock guitar! simply amazing! if i had a guitar (& knew how to play one!) i would strum it & sing an ode to you! well done!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
September 3, 2010 at 1:20 amyou already know i love this, but i wanted to leave a comment and say so again! 🙂 you are too clever!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
September 3, 2010 at 1:20 amyou already know i love this, but i wanted to leave a comment and say so again! 🙂 you are too clever!
Lisa Madden Bass says
September 3, 2010 at 12:17 amGail,
This is about the cutest clock I have ever seen! And the idea was so clever!!!
I am just browing, and enjoying every minute of it–I can’t wait to see what I can find next.
Lisa
Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt says
September 2, 2010 at 10:27 pmYou are the QUEEN of trash to treasure….I can only hope to be considered for your court. 🙂
FABULOUS!!!
Cheers~
e
Ashley @ Joyful Creations says
September 2, 2010 at 8:45 pmOMG! This is the most beautiful and unique clock I’ve ever seen. I’m in awe.
Candace@craftysisters-nc says
September 2, 2010 at 6:56 pmVery creative! It’s amazing what your mind comes up with when you find trash. I really like the pops of red. That poor guitar, it looks like a guitar Sid ( from Toy Story )might have owned. (he, he) 🙂
Becky says
September 2, 2010 at 6:53 pmAmazing! That would look great in a teenagers room too! 🙂
Nana's Fun Stuff says
September 2, 2010 at 4:46 pmOh I love it!!! What a great idea and I love the color theme you picked out for it. I think it would be great to have that one up on the wall that’s for sure. Great job girl!
Jill says
September 2, 2010 at 4:13 pmWow! You’re so clever! I love how this turned out!
Always Nesting says
September 2, 2010 at 3:46 pmHubby’s sitting here, drinking his morning coffee, and I told him I was going to turn one of his guitars (he only owns 7) into a clock. He just laughed.
I love this project. It’s fun in a music room meets Elvis sorta way.
Kathy says
September 2, 2010 at 2:47 pmBoy Gail, you have given me a great idea for our offices here in Nashville. I’m invisioning the huge guitars that different artists did and that were placed all around town, but on a smaller scale, with all of our different office logos and images mod podged all over it! You ARE AMAZING!
Denise says
September 2, 2010 at 2:41 pmAnother great idea, I think the bridge is a personal preference as it looks great either way. Seeing what you do with things as simple as the protective cd really makes me think when I throw something away, wonder what Gail would do with this?? LOL.
I am looking forward to the cooler weather coming soon to an outdoor theatre near you and me!!
Lee Laurie says
September 2, 2010 at 2:39 pmThis is awesome! I have got to make one of those for my son! He will love it!
Reenie says
September 2, 2010 at 2:28 pmVery cute:)
Denise Beverly says
September 2, 2010 at 1:53 pmthis would be perfect to do for my sweet niece off in grad school near nashville. she lives and breathes music!. she does reviews for music magazines and online sites. she hopes to work in nashville at some point after she graduates.
Anji Johnston says
September 2, 2010 at 12:55 pmAbsolutely brilliant!! You rock girl (get it …guitar, music, – sorry!). This would look great on those little toy guitars you get toy stores or on a fiddle. The skies the limit!!
Suzanne says
September 2, 2010 at 12:22 pmYou are one of the most original people I know. It amazes me how you can take an object and repurpose it in such a creative way. This one is incredible. My favorite part… the guitar picks.
Debbie says
September 2, 2010 at 12:17 pmWOW! You go girl!!!!! I can see why you were so excited about this project. I know someone who would ABSOLUTELY LOVE something like this. Her whole family plays guitar, but her oldest son is just starting to move up in country music business. I wish I could find a FREE guitar and make one of these for her!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this great idea with us!!!
junkermidge says
September 2, 2010 at 12:07 pmAs if you weren’t a repurposing rock star already! This one’s going to put you in the junking Hall of Fame! It’s brilliant — and perfect! The bridge is fine where it is and I think you should leave the pick guard off. And it would look awesome hanging on a wall. Love it!
Midge
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says
September 2, 2010 at 12:03 pmWhat a fantastic repurpose job! I know my boys would love some thing like this to hang at their place. I like it with the saddle bridge on. I think it balances the black on the top.
Proper Prim says
September 2, 2010 at 12:03 pmPure genius… I love it. The red just finished that off nicely. I love the sheet music too that was perfect for that.
I am a clock fanatic too… it’s real fun at day light savings time…lol
Great job Gail.
Hugs, Deb
Granny J says
September 2, 2010 at 11:56 amYou outdid yourself on this one. I wouldn’t put the pick guard back on. It would throw off the balanced look of the clock. The red really adds a finishing touch.
Jan @ bobbypins boardwalk says
September 2, 2010 at 11:53 amI would think by this time I would be use to your amazing projects and would be able to control my facial expressions upon seeing your posts; yet my jaw continues to drop to the ground. This is so fabulous! What a wonderful creation! It’s perfect, Gail!
My Cottage Charm says
September 2, 2010 at 11:19 amGail…you totally rocked this project!(and yes, there was a pun intended! lol) 🙂
I love it..love the red, love he pics, love the saddle bridge you put back on..all of it! I like it on top of your corner piece too..the black goes with it, but it would look cool hanging too. That cd thing was the perfect clock face…I would have been amazed at my own repurposing on that one too! 🙂
Can’t wait for this weekend…have you seen the temps?! woo hoo…upper 70’s! I feel some outdoor time coming on!
Big HUGS
Missy
kathie says
September 2, 2010 at 10:14 amSO cool! I know so many people who would love to have that in their home ~ what a great project!
Wendy says
September 2, 2010 at 7:18 amLove it!
I think red was a much better choice than black for the clock face. Black would be difficult to see. We used to have a very pretty homemade clock, but the hands were nearly invisible from more than 6 feet away, and it was REALLY annoying. That won’t be a problem with this clock!