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Reader Hot Rod Gallery: Freaks and Tweaks

Bona fide luthiers aren’t the only ones who can play mod scientist! Check out these uniquely outfitted and updated axes, created by PG readers.

Troy Danelke
Hi PG! Here are a few Teles I built. The first is made from a single piece of African orange padauk. It features a Mighty Mite neck with jumbo frets and reverse headstock, locking tuners, a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, and a GFS Dream 180 in the neck. The only controls are a 3-way switch and a volume knob with a coil tap. I also made the pickguard.

The second guitar is a “Snakehead Tele.” The neck is from Warmoth and the headstock has Grover vintage-style tuners. The body has an aspen back and its front is made from a pine pallet I got from work. It sports a single Lollar J Street pickup sitting in a Fender brass-barrel bridge. The controls are a volume and a tone. I made the control cover and jack plate from an electrical socket cover pounded flat with a hammer.

Each year we ask our readers to submit their baddest and boldest creations. Your projects never cease to amaze us, so we have to share them with the masses! Ogle these eye-popping mods from around the world, and be inspired.

Well-designed pickups. Extremely comfortable contours. Smooth, playable neck.

Middle position could use a bit more mids. Price could scare off some.

$2,999

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay II

music-man.com

4.5
5
5
4

A surprise 6-string collaboration with Cory Wong moves effortlessly between ’70s George Benson and Blink-182 tones.


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The Melvins' Buzz Osborne joins the party to talk about how he helped Kurt Cobain find the right sounds.

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In challenging times, sometimes elemental music, like the late Jessie Mae Hemphill’s raucous Mississippi hill country blues, is the best salve. It reminds us of what’s truly essential––musically, culturally, and emotionally. And provides a restorative and safe place, where we can open up, listen, and experience without judgement. And smile.

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By Raph_PH - https://www.flickr.com/photos/69880995@N04/49587472332/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92321947

Intermediate

Intermediate

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How David Gilmour masterully employs target notes to make his solos sing.

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