Ok so I have to give first place to my girlfriend but my Ibanez gets a close second place (she's on Steemit too so she's going to kill me for that, sorry @jencoolpop).
This is a guitar that I bought 20 years ago after a shitty company I worked for closed down and we got a redundancy payment. Internet shopping really wasn't popular then so I paid a bit more than I should have, but it cost me around £1500 at the time. It was one of the highest spec guitars Ibanez made at that time so I figured why not treat myself.
Over the years this thing has been used and abused in the many bands and shows I've played. Its still to this day the nicest guitar neck I've ever played too.
Initially I tried keeping it in pristine condition but after a few years it started getting a few dings and scratches. I figured why not go all out and give it some character. At the time a friend of mine was a pro skater and had endorsements from a bunch of skate and clothing companies. He had loads of promo stickers he gave me so that was the first addition.
Then over the years as I've worked with and met more musicians I've got a few of them to write something silly or funny on it to make it more unique. That one above is Skrillex, below is Rob from Pendulum.
Then as the years went on I wanted to make a few modifications to it to suit the different playing styles I like (I play a lot of electronic music, and a lot of metal and heavier rock too). The first change was getting some EMG 81 and 85 pickups fitted, which sound absolutely amazing.
Next up was more subtle on the outside but involved the entire inside of the guitar being removed and a new circuit redesigned. This was to accomodate a Craftech Ghost midi system being put in with a Roland 13 pin output on the outside.
In real world terms that means I can play midi instruments with this guitar. Any VST instrument, synth, sound library etc can be played with this guitar, which is handy as I suck trying play synth.
Finally it wouldn't be complete without a little Ableton sticker. For those don't know it this is a recording program that I fell in love with a few years ago. Its probably more aimed at electronic music but I've recorded a ton of different styles with it and it never ceases to amaze me how versatile and useful it is.
So thats my Ibanez and a few details around the changes it along the years. It looks a bit battered and bruised but it still like no other guitar I've ever tried, and thats coming from somebody whos owned a lot of guitars over the years.
Hope you like :)
Nice one brother. I like what you've done to her.
Holy shit man that guitar is sweet. The journey it's been on to me is what brings it value. That and of course the mods. I love modding shit. Picked up a old casio, opened it up and turned it into a synth with custom switches. Just picked up my first electric, fender strat and the plan is to mod it with custom humbucker pickups. Hopefully in a few years it's my second love. Cheers and rock on crypto fam
Definitely, it just adds so much character you don't get with off the shelf instruments. Post some pics of that Strat when you get a chance ;)
love this second love and all the small details in your images.
these days i'm thinking to buy to myself an electric one - i use the acoustic guitar just for myself and now really want to try the creature like this !
Thanks @victorbz, I love acoustics too. Thats one of the beauties of playing music, so many wonderful tools for different styles.
you're right ! also right about the Art in whole
Nice man, that's a great looking axe. Nothing looks better on a guitar than wear and tear!
Yep totally, hopefully in a few years there'll be ever more blood sweat and tears over it ;)
🤘🤘
Gorgeous! The wear and tear, as well as the stuff you’ve put on it are just signs of it being loved and played on. That’s it’s true purpose.
Couldn't agree more, thanks @ialokin
Love Ibanez guitars. Do you still get to play it a lot?
I do indeed. Not as much as I'd like but still a good few times a week.
Sweet!! I haven't played a midi guitar in some time. That looks awesome.
Haha the novelty of playing a grand piano or crazy sounding synth on my guitar never gets old :)
Love what you did with the guitar. I don't own an Ibanez myself, but I know them to be extremely versatile instruments. I like your choice of pickups, too.
You're right, she will kill you..grrr