Repurposed Guitar
Pin it!
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
Pin It
Sylvia
Wow 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
Good luck with your project, and I'm so happy you found my tutorial!
gail
Sue Christensen
What 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
Happy you stopped by Sue to check out my repurposed guitar! I love to inspire others to think outside the box.
gail
Toqua's Crafts
And... 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
This 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
OMG! It's wonderful!
What a great upcycle! Congrats on a job well done!!
Cara
http://miscellaneousme.wordpress.com
The DIY Show Off
You are so clever! This is awesome! Great job!
Roeshel
freckled laundry
This is awesome! You are so stinkin' creative!
Jami
Funky Junk Interiors
Now aren't you clever! It would have never dawned on me to flip a guitar into a clock. Very cool indeed!
Donna
Laura
Holy cow this is amazing! Great job.
Garilyn
Great project! Love the red on the black and white.
Marge of Emmas Nook and Granny
Stunning!! So very clever, too!!
Mod Podge Amy
This is so cool!
Amanda
This is brilliant Gail, featured you this morning 🙂
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/guitar-turned-clock/
Nita {ModVintageLife}
How in credibly cute. Who would have ever thought? I love the color scheme - black and white with just a pop of red.
Melissa
That is totally my kind of project!!
Pam
Wow....neat. I am with Sharley, your blog is my fav.
Sharley
You are amazing! Your blog is my absolute favorite! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ericka
This is so clever! I love how it turned out, great job!
Jenni
Wow, 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
I love it! My daughter is all into playing the guitar, she would love to have one of those!
Susan
Hey...That's awesome! My husband is a musician and this would look great in his studio! you got me thinkin!
randee
the 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
you already know i love this, but i wanted to leave a comment and say so again! 🙂 you are too clever!