Nowadays, eco-conscious products are everywhere. From your car, to your home, to the clothes you wear; all aspects of your life can serve to better the environment. So where is this trend heading to next? Believe it or not, guitar players are getting a piece of this eco-action, and it involves the instruments you already love to play. Check out these creative ways to show off your passion for music and your love for planet earth.
Guitar maker, Simon Lee, takes the idea of recycling to a whole new level. This former sculptor has developed a range of Cyclotron electric guitars (cover photo). Cyclotrons have bodies that are produced from recycled plastics; utilizing materials ranging from vending machine coffee cups, to foil-covered yogurt pots, or crushed CD’s. Lee’s reasoning for creating these green guitars is based on his desire to preserve the rain forest, explaining, “Instead of producing highly lacquered, exotic timber ‘furniture’ guitars, I have designed instruments that explore the potential of, and celebrate very modern materials.”
What better way to carry around your new recycled guitar than with a handmade case. Instead of splurging on a high-tech carry-on, get crafty with a D.I.Y. project. Grab a few materials and follow these easy instructions to make the perfect gig bag for your guitar, bass, ukulele, or banjo. The best part is you can customize it to your liking. Don’t have a sewing machine? Visit the Sophiaworks’ or IvyArch’s Etsy shop for the ultimate handmade masterpiece. These online stores specialize in kitschy prints, patterns, and quilted techniques. Other eco-conscious retailers are producing durable cases out of “found objects.”
Repurposed Materials turns trash into treasure using flight cases, “they clearly can withstand a lot of abuse- perfect for instruments, sound equipment, or anything you need to keep safe.” As for your guitar strap, Couch Guitar Straps out of Los Angeles make their straps out of vinyl and car seatbelt material and also use lots of recycled and vintage deadstock materials.
Got an old case you can’t use anymore? Why not turn it into something useful? That’s exactly what French designer, Elodie Flamant did. While in Paris, Flamant found a tattered case, separated the two pieces, lined it with newspaper clippings, and mounted it on the wall for a unique take on a traditional bookcase. You can do the same thing at home with your own worn out case or vintage find.
Being eco-friendly is easier now than ever before. Anyone can transform used materials into functioning products. Let these guitar-friendly creations inspire you to join their efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Sources: Weheartit.com or as otherwise noted in the links above
