A year into my journey…
One Year of Building Custom Electric Guitar Bodies: Paint, Relics & Creative Chaos
It’s hard to believe that almost a year ago I decided to start selling my own custom-designed electric guitar bodies. What originally began as me experimenting in the workshop — trying out different painting techniques, testing finishes, and seeing what weird ideas might actually work — has slowly grown into something much bigger than I ever expected.
At first, it was all about curiosity. I’d spend hours messing around with colours, textures, transfers, relic finishes, and different spray techniques just to see how each one changed the personality of the guitar. Some ideas instantly looked killer. Others… not so much. But that’s part of the fun when you’re creating custom electric guitar bodies by hand — every build teaches you something new.
I’ve always been a creative person, so combining art and guitars felt like the perfect match. There’s something seriously satisfying about taking a plain unfinished guitar body and turning it into something completely unique. Whether it’s adding custom graphics, experimenting with aged relic finishes, layering paints, or testing out different top coats, every guitar ends up with its own character and vibe.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the last year is just how much the finishing process affects the final look and feel of a guitar. The type of paint, the way it’s sprayed, how the finish reacts to sanding, polishing, weathering, or relicing — every little detail changes the end result. Some finishes look clean and modern, while others end up with that worn-in vintage feel that makes a guitar look like it’s already survived decades of gigs.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Not every experiment works out perfectly either — and honestly, that’s probably been one of the best parts of the journey. Some guitar bodies become too experimental, too wild, or just don’t turn out the way I imagined. When that happens, they usually get sanded back down and started again from scratch. It can be frustrating at times, but it’s all part of pushing ideas further and figuring out what actually works.
That freedom to experiment is what keeps the whole process exciting. No two guitars are ever exactly the same, and that’s what makes custom builds special. Every mark, layer, relic, and finish tells part of the story behind the build.
Over the past year, I’ve also realised how much people appreciate guitars that feel personal and different from the standard factory finishes you see everywhere else. Players want instruments with character — something that stands out on stage, in the studio, or hanging on the wall. That’s a huge part of the inspiration behind what I do with Drop Dead Guitars.
There’s still loads I want to learn and try. New paint techniques, crazier relic ideas, different textures, bolder colours, and more custom graphic work are all on the list. Some future experiments will probably fail spectacularly… but some might become my favourite designs yet.
For now, I’m just enjoying the process of creating unique custom electric guitar bodies, learning new techniques, and seeing where this journey goes next. Thanks to everyone who’s supported the builds so far — especially the people brave enough to give the experimental ones a home.
And trust me… there are plenty more crazy guitar designs on the way.
“New paint techniques, crazier relic ideas, different textures, bolder colours, and more custom graphic work are all on the list”
