jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
all images courtesy of jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell

 

 

 

 

modifying electric guitars and turning them into a piece of artwork, gibraltar-based jamie ghio sanches and mike braunewell of sworddesign have created a series of one of a kind instruments. the duo, who have backgrounds in music and customizing vehicles have collaborated in the modeling and painting. the process starts with evaluating the design idea, as the instrument above all has to be playable by the musician. during this the pair decides who does what, jamie is in charge of any carving and the electronic setup of the instrument, while mike overseas the final paint job execution, including airbrushing – both take part in the 3D sculpting if it is needed.

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
2D dragon design back detail

 

 

the materials used are mainly wood, with various types of resins and plastics and the occasional metal. there are two main things taken into consideration – firstly, if the guitars are too heavy or complicated for people to get their hands and arms around, it looses its main purpose and secondly, each modification will influence the sound, which can be compensated for by the set up and the choice of the electronics applied. 

 

 

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fender replica with 3D skull design

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
3D spider web guitar

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
3D spider web guitar side detail

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
3D snake design guitar

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
3D snake design guitar side view detail

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
3D flame shape guitar

 

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e bass with clockwork design

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
e bass with clockwork design back

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
jungle frog design on yamaha bass

 

jamie ghio sanches + mike braunewell carve custom guitars
jungle frog design head stock detail

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.