Popsicle stick guitar

I decided it was time for someone to build a guitar completely from popsicle sticks........Ordered 4,000 on ebay and used about 2,000.........I used my Gremlin parlor size guitar as a pattern and started gluing..........took about 2 months working on it everyday.......I retired in Costa Rica and I don't have a lot of tools so kind of made do with what I had......Turned out very nice and very playable.......Not a Martin but hey, what the heck

Step 1 Guitar form and making sides

I made a form using heavy art board and hot glue with spacers........I then glued the sides up using the form............

Comments

[Kaffe]

Thanks for this idea. I bet you can fill those holes where the popsicle sticks meet with wood epoxy or something similar. chawlk, etc. if you didn't want the pattern.

I may just have to try this some day.

[pfred2]

If you trimmed off the rounded ends you'd have nothing to fill. You'd need to use a few more Popsicle sticks though.

[awesaomeness5]

You are in costa rica? I moved here from the states to playa del coco. Where do you live?

[zstuchbery]

How did you make the buttons nice nice?

[zstuchbery]

so nice*

[metaknight2550]

whenever i make the front/back side and when it's dry, i get loads of dried glue on the back side. how do you fix that?

[metaknight2550]

Hi, I've got some problems right now.
1. I can't make the sides, they lost form as soon as I peel the tinfoil off. How do I fix this?
2. How did you make the front and back sides stay together so good?

[busupholstery]

Are you using a cardboard form?.........Are you using titebond wood glue?........I'm not sure what your asking in question 2..........ask in more detail and I will be glad to help..........

[metaknight2550]

I'm using some wood glue, I live in switzerland, you know...
i forgot to make a cardboard form, i just realized it, haha :P
question 2 is: how did you make the popsicle sticks stick together so well on the front side? all i get is masses of glue on the back side, sticks coming loose, and loads of dried glue on the back. :S

[metaknight2550]

This is amazing!! I might try this on my own soon :)
Why are the pictures so small though? It would be helpful if they were bigger :/
Also, how does it sound?

[monster321]

doe it kick but

[monster321]

deos it play tones

[Compking2009]

I..... Love.... YOU!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[guitarfan]

ja i left a comen on your youtube video too and i have a question (another) you think its posible to make a solid body or a semi-hollow guitar or maybe a mandolin ive alwais wanted 1

[redorchestra]

This would make an excellent ukulele. I might try it. Maybe only 1000 popsicle sticks!!!!

[davidglinski]

i was just about to do this tooo!!!!! omg im on my way to do this!! so excited :D

[CapnTac]

It's been done: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?35289-Popsicle-stick-ukulele&highlight=popsicle

[Future filmaker]

I was thinking the EXACT same thing!

[TheBlackSharpie]

Same here!

[ebubbula]

me too

[rianocerous]

This is seriously so impressive.

I hope someday I can embark on a project like this, and come out with something half as good.

I view this instructable every few weeks, just for inspiration....wow.

[5STARGBLOOD]

you must have a lot of time on ur hands

[agis68]

beautiful result nice job well presented just one question: how many years you collected all these sticks??? You must ate thousand of ice creams!!!

[beehard44]

he bought it

[sstenbec]

Hey, did anybody figure out who that was playing in the background?
Busupholstery, maybe you can help us with that.
Awesome looking guitar! Great craftsmanship!

[busupholstery]

The sound track is Garrick Davis......"GD Blues....." I got it on youtube standard tracks when installing my upload......I think it's great......Thanks for all the complements on the guitar

[sstenbec]

Thanks man!

[mdog93]

did you use black car polish to try and add some contrast in the crack (between the sticks) and gaps etc like the grain? or just because it was the only colour you had

[busupholstery]

The polish is the only kind I could find here in Costa Rica that was kind of like Macquire's Swirl and scratch remover........It actually didn't affect the color at all........only removed the 2000 grit fine scratches.........works great......

[mdog93]

cool, i'd like to find a way to darken the tiny crack between the sticks and in the grain of the sticks so the grain and lines are enhanced. I might use a small amount of dark wood filler all over and try and rub it into all the nooks and crannys. Do you think that would work?

[dscrive]

there is an old woodworking technique you could try, it's called "rose barking"
you use fine dark powder, traditionally from sanding bark, to contrast grooves cut into a design, then seal the whole thing.

if you get some dark powder, coal dust, maybe graphite, dark saw dust, something of that nature, you could rub it over the surface filling in the cracks and the joints then when you sealed the wood you would have the contrast you are looking for.

[mdog93]

ok, sounds interesting, will it not just fall out though, even with the seal on?

[dscrive]

The wood sealer will soak through and act like a glue holding it in place.
you have to be a little careful though, if the cracks are to wide and you fill them to high with the dust when you put on the sealer it can pull some of the dust out.

[mdog93]

ok, i don't think this method or any will owrk on what i have already done, i think i glued them too tightly but, better that and it actually stays in one piece than it lookin nice, but not after it's fallen apart lol

[busupholstery]

You might try tinting the glue........

[mdog93]

yeah good idea. i'll do some practise runs. But i can't think of an easy way of tinting the glue apart from mixing some darker wood sawdust into it, but then i class that as a 'homemade wood filler' but anyways i can't think of a way for me to make enough saw dust to do that. also bearring in mind i have already made the front on the uke, that method couldn't be used for that piece and if it worked significantly well on the other pieces then it would look odd that they don't match. Godd ideas though, keep em coming- we got a great little 'stick orchestra' comin along with all these people sayin they're makein posicle and matchstick instruments :) i thiks it's awesome

[bwool1]

that is one of the coolest guitars ever!

[ProfessorMcKillswitch]

you sir, are amazing

[cougerbat89]

Next project: Bass made out of toothpicks! Kidding. I did not expect how much of the guitar would actually be made out of the sticks (The neck? Wow.) Was this frustrating or can I try something like this on a smaller scale? Say, a Ukulele?

[rengawtm]

I was thinking of doing the same thing