The Start of Something New

Has this ever happened to you?

I was sitting at my desk scrolling through Instagram looking at all of the fancy pedalboards loaded with the industry’s best gear. In my head, I assembled my dream pedalboard. It’s been months of trying to get it just right. Then, it pops up.

The picture is fuzzy but you already know it’s gonna be great because they made it. Three agonizing days later, they finally tell you what it is, and you’re already screaming “SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!”

You don’t have the money, you never have the money. So, you never have the stuff.

But still, you can dream right? Yeah this happens a lot…,but

It Doesn’t Have To

Instead of wasting time waiting for the things that you want, wouldn’t you rather make them. Sure, it may not be cheaper and it can take time, but it’ll be yours. It will be unique, something that represents you.

Time for a Change

That’s exactly how I felt. The launch of the Strymon Volante was the turning point for me. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to save the money for it.

With mounting medical debt, a wife, two kids, and a dwindling ability to work and keep my income up, I knew that just wasn’t going to happen. I couldn’t even get enough together for cheaper pedals off of Amazon. I wasn’t that down though, cause something felt…..different that time.

Something changed. I realized that I could probably make some of the things that I wanted myself. Especially since I wasn’t seeing what I wanted on the market. I wasn’t sure yet but I figured that with enough time and research, I could figure this thing out.

Everyone Starts From Zero

The truth is, all the people that build the guitar gear that we dream of started out not knowing much about it. We all start at zero, and we can all learn to build our own guitar gear. Unique gear. Gear that represents our style and our desires. 

That’s the kind of guitar gear that I want to build. So, I started down that path. I wanted to learn anything that I could, but I quickly discovered that the best way for me to learn is to start building.

Enter, Builders Guitar Lab

I started Builders Guitar Lab (BGL) because I know that there are other people that feel the same way that I do. More than that, there are people who want to see what it is like for other people with no formal training try to build something new. BGL lets me show you what it is like.

What You’ll Find Here

You’ll find detailed write ups and videos of my efforts to build the guitar gear that I want. Whether you want to learn how to do it yourself, or you just like to watch people work, BGL is an experience that you’ll enjoy.

There are multiple projects underway at any given time. I’m simultaneously working on guitars and guitar pedals, so there is always something interesting to see. Check in regularly to see what new projects are underway.

How Can You Join In?

Simple. Just do one or more of the following:

• Visit the BGL channel on Youtube to see the full build videos
• Check me out on Instagram @buildersguitarlab
• Subscribe to the BGL newsletter (coming soon)

I may be just some schmo trying to build new things, but it’ll be fun to watch.