When this author met guitar maker Dan Becker in 2008, he said he had built fewer
than 15 guitars. That estimate
was surprising, because standing
in his workshop meant standing
beneath dozens of ornate guitars
and guitar skeletons, elaborate
unfinished models, and prototypes
hanging from the ceiling.
It was like being in a room full
of nude mannequins, some
without necks or bodies. It was
impressive that such a small
operation could produce so
many pieces, and all by hand.
Becker and his business
partner, Ryan Martin of Ryan
Martin Basses, are unique
custom builders who’ve based
their reputations on quality
craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind
artistic designs. Using exotic
colored woods and state-of-the-art
materials, the two experiment
with shape, color, and feel
to create the custom stringed
instruments they’ve come to collectively
call ElectriCandyland.
Each piece is carved, dyed, and
finished entirely by hand. With
the amount of attention put
into each piece, it’s no wonder
they’ve racked up an impressive
list of professional clientele that
includes guitarist Jake Cinninger
and bassist Ryan Stasik of
Umphrey’s McGee, moe. guitarist
Chuck Garvey, and bassist
Marc Brownstein and guitarist
Jon “the Barber” Gutwillig of
the Disco Biscuits.
“It’s really high-end craftsmanship
in instruments done
in a funky but elegant way,”
Becker explains. “We use the
word ‘psychadeligance.’ We’re
not afraid to do our own thing,
and I think people like that.
ElectriCandyland is Alice in
Wonderland meets Willy Wonka.”
The description is a fair one—
Becker designs would be right
at home in a Tim Burton flick.
Each instrument is animated by
vibrant colors and paired with
an unconventional shape and
design, and the designers say
they draw inspiration from life’s
smaller pleasures, such as Disney/Pixar films or Medieval Times.
Martin says the real challenge
is designing something
that’s unique, yet still has that
familiarity guitarists expect.
“Most good guitarists play a
Strat or a Les Paul,” he says. “So
if you make a guitar that feels
better than a Strat or a Les Paul,
it’s going to be undeniable,
whether the artist is in the market
for a new guitar or not.”
This bass is Ryan Martin’s version of a design by guitar maker
Robert
Taylor. It’s made from purpleheart, bloodwood,
and curly maple, and
features a high-gloss finish.