Introduction: The Necronomitar
As a guitarist in a metal band, I often find myself trying to come up with new ways to one up the other bands in the area. Sometimes this involves coming up with a cooler riff or better show. Sometimes, though, it's the gear you play! The problem with that is, like most guitarists, I'm broke.
The Solution:
The other night I was watching the Evil Dead movies and I half jokingly made a comment about a guitar designed like the necronomicon... The NECRONOMITAR! Well, that got my gears turning. I spent many days contemplating how to do this, and now here it is... the MOST death metal guitar ever!
Check the final step for more ideas I've come up with based on the same materials.
WARNING!
This instructable should not ruin your guitar's sound in any way, shape, or form, but that being said, if you do ruin your guitar don't blame me. I'm not the one modifying your stuff. Also, use your brain, this instructable is for cheapo guitars like Strat knockoffs. If you do this to your guitar make sure its one you don't "need" just in case you mess up.
Step 1: Tools and Materals
Materials:
Guitar (duh)
Paper or cardboard
Aluminum foil
Painters caulk
Mold release
Latex mold maker
Wood stain - red mahogoney works best
Glue - optional
Tools:
Screwdrivers - for disassembling the guitar
Adjustable wrench - for disassembling the guitar
Torch - I used a standard propane torch
Scissors
Step 2: Disassemble the Guitar
Using the screwdrivers and adjustable wrench, remove all of the components of the guitar. Whether you remove the neck or not is up to you. Be sure to take note of where everything goes and keep your removed parts in a container so you don't lose anything.
Step 3: Tracing and Caulking
Do this step OUTSIDE! When using a large amount of caulking like this it tends to produce a very strong, lingering odor.
Now we are going to trace the shape of the guitar onto the paper/cardboard. After you have finished tracing it draw another line about 1" out from the first. This line accounts for the thickness of the guitar. The next line will be based of the second line we made. For this line we just want to draw some random bumps going outwards. These will be the parts we fold over the edge of the guitar to tack it in place.
Once all of the lines have been drawn go ahead and empty the whole tube of caulk in side the lines. Then using whatever is around pull the caulking to the outer lines. I used my hands and a shop towel to help give it some shape. Any shape you add now will show up later under the latex in the form of thicker/ thinner parts, adding to the effect.
Let it dry. This can take awhile. I let mine stay over night.
Step 4: Burnification Process
While waiting for the caulk to dry, let there be fire! Using a torch, give the whole guitar a nice coating of burnt, by lightly brushing the torch over it.
BE CAREFUL!
If any part of this instructable is dangerous or could potentially ruin the guitar, this is it! While burning the guitar be sure to KEEP MOVING. If its catching fire you are going to slow. Also on the neck, do it in quick passes. The best way to describe the burning process is it's like spray painting not like dosing in gasoline.
Step 5: Laying the Latex
After letting the painter's caulk dry, we are ready for the latex. First we want to rip most of the paper off of the caulking. Next, set the caulking on the aluminum foil. Spray the whole thing done with mold release. Then, pour the latex over it, again, starting in the middle and working towards the edges. Let the whole thing dry over night.
Reassemble the guitar.*
*While you are waiting, now is the perfect time to switch out pickups or shield the electronics. Search instructables there are plenty of great tutorials on such mods.
Step 6: Sweet Release
Once the latex is dry, cover it with wood stain. Allow 5 minutes then wipe the excess, repeat until desired coloration is achieved. To make it easier to separate the latex from the caulking, put the whole thing in a bucket of water for 10 minutes. Finally, just peel the latex off. Don't worry if you have some tears and imperfections, it will add to the character.
Step 7: Attaching the Skin
With the guitar reassembled and the latex separated, we can now start attaching the "skin". Start by using small nails or flush thumb tacks to attach the latex to the back of the guitar. as you work your way around pull the latex tight. Hint: latex does tear so fold it over under the nail. Also, when you have the nail about half way in hit it sideways so it folds over some of the unpunctured latex. this is where you can use some glue to help ease the stress on the latex.
Once the latex is completely attached use scissors to cut spaces for the pickups, bridge, and other stuff.
Step 8: Finishing Touches / Final Words
Pat yourself on the back... You're now the proud owner of the most ferocious guitar in the world...
THE NECRONOMITAR!
Now it's time to make up a background story. Be original!
Since I finished this I have thought about applying the process to other objects. One idea is to make a realistic looking necronomicon. Another idea is to use it as an Ipod covering. The sky is the limit!
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51 Comments
11 years ago on Step 4
What kind of guitar is that? I bought a project guitar that looks just like it but the logo on the neck was rubbed off. I've been trying to find out what it is for over a year now and it's driving me nuts
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
also its a fairly commmon build yours could be a lotus, kramer, silvertone, avalon, harmony, etc these were super popular in the early to mid 90s and similar variants continue to this day
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Its a Harmony. They are pretty much only good for tearing up. they are fairly indestructible. I have dropped it, thrown it at the ground and hit a tree with it and that was before this instructable
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Haven't dug it out of storage for a while but this might help. Does it the body look like its made of some sort of bondo and sawdust? And it's really heavy? Neck and headstock are painted. The one I have that is like that is labeled Kingston, made in Korea. The serial number starts with 91 and I think that might be the manufacture date. It has a slightly shorter scale, around 23 inches or so and has two single coil pickups and two pots. Any less nuts now?
12 years ago on Step 8
it look good but the finish is some thing.........awful ,guitar is for love it not for dissgust to the view may be just the burn is awesome many people try it but you did it well just the burn out woluld be ok look anciant and not like an old skin dead thanks a nyway good process
Reply 12 years ago on Step 8
I gotta say I think that it is beautiful in the way that its not something you see everyday. I mean don't you ever get tired of seeing the same finish on every guitar? Don't get me wrong I still get weak in the knees when I see a flame top les paul with a translucent finish. I was mainly just hoping to inspire others to think outside the box when customizing. Thank you very much for your comments and compliments.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hi.
I love the way it looks kinda " melted ".
Decent ible.
Reply 12 years ago on Step 8
If you like this guitar, you must be a metal head (I am) I'm curious as to what guitar you used. Its definitely a strat body... thats all i got.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
fairly certain it was a harmony. the pickups had given up and my buddy sold it to me for $20
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Nice, maybe you could unskin the pick up slots and buy new pick ups for it
12 years ago on Step 8
here some thing ive done for example
13 years ago on Introduction
All you need to do is learn to shoot lighting out of the neck of your guitar.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
inlaying lightning shaped plexi down the neck with some leds would be awesome
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
No. Real lighting. That you can kill stuff with.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I know. I was just throwing out an idea for others
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
That would be cool. I would put it on some type of rig on the back of the neck so it could be retracted.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Tesla coil anyone?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
i thought about that but the electronics required would be feedback city!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Use a spring to push it forward and a bar to pull it back and lock it.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
ive always wanted to put a switchblade on the end and have a knife pop our and stab things. It would be very rammstein esc to stab a goat or something on stage.