r/Luthier 2d ago

ELECTRIC Wanted to share a RIDICULOUS recent build: A 30" scale length 8-string, with an intricate Icarus inlay

I had waited a long time to do the inlay idea and finally got the chance to get it done on this build. Had a total blast making the guitar!
- 30" scale length
- Finnish cherry body (scorched and then stained)
- Redwood burl top with a Karelian birch veneer accent layer
- Pau Ferro one-piece neck (with carbon fiber reinforcement and Karelian birch veneer accent layer)
- Pau Ferro fretboard with ebony binding
- Wood/Brass powder/Mother of Pearl Icarus & Sun inlay
- Brass nut
- Lundgren M8 pickup set
- Grainger Hardtail bridge (string-through)
- Guitar Monkey Locking tuners
- SchallerStrap locks, switch tip, and knob
- Master volume, 3-Way toggle switch, Puretone jack
- Luminlay side dots
- Weight 3,2kg

311 Upvotes

41 comments sorted by

15

u/MetalAndChrome 2d ago

Wow that’s beautiful, I hope someday my builds are that good.

12

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Thank you so much! And keep building, just takes practice, time, and tons of mistakes. Been building guitars for 10 years now myself.

10

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

And the curious ones, this is what it sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWXyI9E9WI
(also, finally an 8-string demo that isn't just ones and zeroes! No, I did not make the demo)

2

u/PoolNoob69 2d ago

Dude! I saw this video the other day on YouTube and wondered about the guitar. It's beautiful! Amazing work!

3

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Oh cool! And thanks

6

u/12manyhobbies 2d ago

holy shit, you can practically see the strings moving in slow motion in that video. That thing is way too pretty for the kind of music it's going to be used for! You should be so proud.

3

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Thank you for saying so!

6

u/diadmer 2d ago

Lmao the discarded feathers are fret dots at 3, 5, 7, 9, and the two feathers at 12. Genius.

4

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Technically it has all fret markers there out of the discarded feathers if you look close ;)

4

u/settlementfires 2d ago

It's a grand piano that's been reincarnated as an electric guitar!

2

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Exactly what I said to someone the other day!

3

u/Jzgood 2d ago

Beautiful build!

3

u/Thereminz 2d ago

i typically don't like this style but this looks pretty great

2

u/R3d_Ox 2d ago

Damn. I'm speechless

2

u/metalsuspension 2d ago

Someone send this to the guys in Periphery

1

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Ooooh yeeeeees. Please do!

2

u/SarcasticBunghole69 2d ago

…… the question on everyones minds though, that finish…. did you use the 8$ walmart krylon clear coat spray or the 9$ poly spray…..

1

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Several coats of TruOil

2

u/SarcasticBunghole69 2d ago

Nice. I use tru oil too but it doesnt look that good. I was wondering with all the premo stuff what finish you put on something that nice I didnt know if there was like some exotic oil or something lol

3

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

The key is in HOW you apply the stuff. Obviously getting your sanding done properly prior is key. But for example, I like to apply the first layer of oil with 1200 or 1500 grit sandpaper, then a few sessions of oil applied with a rag/kitchen towel, then one layer applied with 2000 grit (if I wanna build up to a really nice sheen), then just applied as normal until it looks good to my eye.

2

u/never0101 2d ago

This is incredible.

2

u/whattheafasd 2d ago edited 2d ago

IN-sane, top 3 8-strings ive ever seen

1

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Damn, thanks!

2

u/VausTheMaster 2d ago

I recognised the IP shield logo on the headstock immediately!

Another great build! Well done, sir!

Love your YT channel btw

2

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Hey awesome!! Thank you so so much

2

u/PruneNo6203 2d ago

It’s a beautiful guitar. Eight strings calls a lot of attention to the owner. We need to see something from this person.

3

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

It's actually a stock instrument right now and up for grabs. However, a friend made a demo of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWXyI9E9WI

1

u/PruneNo6203 1d ago

That sounds about right. I could see someone with exceptionally big hands using this guitar quite well.
I had a thought about how the fingers length travel is problematic and a way offset the issue.

Regardless, that is a one of a kind masterpiece.

2

u/Pr3ssF2PayR3sp3c7 2d ago

I'm usually a fan of the classic 6 string shapes, but this one is absolutely beautiful.

1

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Thank you so much

1

u/charitytowin 2d ago

Careful, Icarus!

Don't fly too close to the sun with your wings made of wax!

1

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Too late, he's already falling.

1

u/yes_what 2d ago

Amazing work! Did you reinforce the neck? I have been thinking of building a 7-string as my first project and was wondering how does the guitar hold a 30" scale and 8 strings

3

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

I did actually. It's got two carbon fibers rods in the neck. Usually I would be against doing that (personal opinion), but usually I make my neck multi-laminate (for strength and to cancel out twist). This was a one-piece neck and a long one at that, so I wanted to reinforce it.

1

u/_qqg 2d ago

The craftsmanship is impeccable, the woods are beautiful and I love the minimal controls and the idea of the falling feathers as fret markers!

2

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

Thank you so much, glad you spotted the feather markers as well

1

u/riversofgore 2d ago

Looks great. Why didn't they want to go with a multiscale build? Is it tuned like a short scale bass? There's got to be a ton of tension on those high strings.

2

u/IndiEstructibleProd 2d ago

So the story behind this is that the owner of the workshop I rent time at, found an abandoned pre-slotted fretboard and gave it to me, saying "You can probably make something from this." Honestly I just wanted to be ridiculous with this build. Fairly certain whoever originally had it was planning to make a short scale bass, and I just didn't feel right wasting the material. To account for the tension I tuned it to D1 standard, so that high strings wouldn't be at such high tension.