Two projects: Prehistoric Mustang/Petrified Jagmaster

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:15 pm

You are one crazy fuck. That's like a steampunk scrotum turned inside out and nailed down. I skipped to the last page but now I have to go back and read the whole thread. Nice debut. Bra-vo. I can't take my eyes off of it. I would never have the nerve to commit to something like that. Look at this ostrich wallet. Gucci uses it too. Seems wrong to me, but I like leather. As long as it's done ethically.

I didn't realize how well copper goes with wood.

CLAW

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 am

Josh wrote:When you restring it you take the back skin off to get to the holes correct?

Yeah. The circuit board and battery were supposed to be back there as well where the old Strat trem system was, but I ended up putting it under the pickguard. I might make a new copper plate for the back that has the holes drilled in it so it will be like a normal string-through guitar.

As for pictures of the electronics, this is the only photo I took. It was after i completed the circuit board and needed to test it out, so obviously this is not what it looks like now.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:34 am

DGNR8 wrote:You are one crazy fuck. That's like a steampunk scrotum turned inside out and nailed down. I skipped to the last page but now I have to go back and read the whole thread. Nice debut. Bra-vo. I can't take my eyes off of it. I would never have the nerve to commit to something like that. Look at this ostrich wallet. Gucci uses it too. Seems wrong to me, but I like leather. As long as it's done ethically.

I didn't realize how well copper goes with wood.

CLAW

Thanks.

I think you have to realise while that while ostrich skin goods are sometimes fairly expensive when compared to cowhide goods, it is not rare, so it's really no different than using cowhide. There are plenty of ostriches to go around to eat and to wear.

Ostrich skin is not in any way as expensive as brands like Gucci or HermÃ¨s might make it out to be. There is no reason why a HermÃ¨s ostrich skin bag should cost $20,000+. A piece of body skin is about $250-500 depending on the grade and the colour. Leg and neck skin are under $50.

The wallet you posted is pretty wild.

As for copper and wood, they go together very well. It is mind boggling that no one is producing copper plated guitar parts. I guess it is one of the many holes in the guitar industry that no one is taking advantage of.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:59 pm

Haha.

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:37 am

great stuff. got anything else?

definitely nothing anybody else has, thats for sure.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:58 am

I don't have anymore custom guitars, but I make other things. I have several plans for building more guitars. I am not sure which I will tackle next. I am giving the Mustang away soon, so I might build an improved version of that.

If anyone wants something similar built, let me know. I am always up for a new project.

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:04 am

i personally love all this stuff on your site. did you copper-plate those strings too? wow.
do a bass v. those are odd guitars anyway, and i think it'd be cool to see a really off the wall one like the one i envision you making.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:08 am

Thanks.

No, I tried to have them copper plated professionally but no one I contacted was able to help me out, and DIY electroplating was not working so well with them. I ended up just using copper leaf.

A bass project would be fun, but I really have no use for a bass guitar.

James · Post by **James** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:30 am

I don't know if I'm able to hotlink this image but this is very classy -

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:36 am

Thanks, that was my room in my old apartment. Unfortunately, I never got around to finishing it. All of the wires and stuff were going to be hidden. I have since moved, but I will reassemble it soon and finish it the way I had originally planned.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 am

Video footage of the room:

[youtube][/youtube]

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:59 am

very cool shit, but borderline metro. not you, just the vibe i got from looking at your website.

is that a boss dr-sample?

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:00 am

SP-202.

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:10 am

You are a talented young man.I have a feeling you'll go far..Very nice work.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:19 am

So, the other day I was messing around with a copper pick, and I started scrapping it against the strings; like a bow. Today I decided to make a bow, but instead of horsehair, I used a copper rod, and attached it to a dowel rod and put ostrich skin on the handle part. It sounds very interesting, and is really difficult to use; but once you find the sweet spots, it's terrific.

The result:

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:24 am

that bow is really quite cool. any chance of some sound clips?

i've wanted a bow for a while since i love bowed guitar but they're expensive and you need rosin and all that, if this sounds decent i may have to steal pay homage to your idea.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:38 am

I will be making a video soon to continue my Live Jazz series on YouTube. I will be using the bow.

It's probably a bit different from a violin bow -- it would be more like using a long screwdriver, I guess. It has more of a metallic sound and is probably harder to control. I have never used an actual violin bow, so I am just making assumptions. I would like to buy a violin bow soon, though.

A good alternative to a bow is a large paint brush. You get the same sound without the scrapping sound. I assume something natural would work best, like camel or badger hair.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:40 am

i've actually used a screwdriver before to imitate a bow, it wasn;t quite there but not too far off.

how exactly would you use a large paint brush? i can't picture it working.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:46 am

Reece wrote:i've actually used a screwdriver before to imitate a bow, it wasn;t quite there but not too far off.

how exactly would you use a large paint brush? i can't picture it working.

Just sort of paint the strings using the tip of the bristles until you hear it. You will need to use a bit of gain.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:26 pm

I tried using a badger hair shoe shine brush, and that seems to work well.

Also, I realised that the bow works best when you lay it on it's side; with both the wood and copper rod touching the strings. It resonates much better.