Top is really good lookin the coners reflect light nicely when light angle change it look like black. If I was pet this guitars I wanna keep it like how it is now. Your guitar look so super🙂👍👍👍👍👍👍
@Maddog mikey Yes it would look good as that red and black burst alone - if I were buying a guitar to play that is. As an experiment or concept well he has tried it, it doesn't really work but at least he tried something new.
Looking at that head tattoo, id'e say that you've made poor decisions before. LOL I'm joking. I love the build and your content. Don't be too hard on yourself.
I loved this video! The next build of this body will be great. All of the experimenting is out of your system. Right? Right?! You said it best, it was just too many ingredients in this broth, but it was a great canvas for testing SO MANY new ideas on. Just think of how much more wisdom you have today that you didn't have 3 weeks ago. This build gave that to you...to all of us. Rock on, Ben!
I'm one of the people who expressed that they do not like how the finish turned out, but as the old saying goes "you can't please everyone." It's not for me, its not for the next guy that doesn't like it, but it is for the buyer who decides that they do love it how it is. Without your pushing the boundaries and testing yourself no new grounds are broken. You do not have to make more traditional style guitars, you do have to do what you love, and despite what you may think about a guitar that many people do not like, there is still a ton of quality content behind it and a lot to learn from within the videos. Do you, "play," keep on making these wild creations, your guitars are uniquely yours and nothing to apologise for! Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do for the guitar community, without yourself and a few select youtubers I would not be pushing myself to start my own guitar based business at home, and I can only dream to have my own store/workshop one day!
This “epilogue” type of episode is a nice idea. It’s nice to hear a recap and more detailed discussion of some of the design choices. In the end, it’s definitely an interesting guitar. And that’s what we come to this channel to see.
You know what, Ben? Im personally not a fan of the finish on this guitar, but I dont think you should change who you are and your way of breaking boundaries. Whether the outcome is positive or negative, there is growth in both and if you love what you do then I say keep being you! :) Thats who we all love and keep watching. Not "Ben who sticks to guidelines and builds the same guitars that everyone else builds". Keep it going!
I don't think he wants to completely limit himself, but he went a bit too far on this build and tried to put too many ideas into it. I think that is why he wants to set some more boundaries for himself. I mean there are enough weird ideas in this build to make 2 or 3 unique guitars that would have come out far better than this imho.
Steady on big fella, don't beat yourself up. The whole build was so good to watch, loving or hating your decisions and enjoining the ride from start to finish and definately learning along the way. Chin up mate, the guitar is amazing, we love what you do. Can't wait to see what's next.
I for one appreciate the humility. Your willingness to open yourself up to brutal criticism is refreshing! We're all the better for it. Absolutely love the body shape...glad to hear you'll do it again. There are flashes of brilliance here. That headstock for example; went from 'is he really going to do that?' to 'that is amazing!'. A great fix. Now, about that finish...
This build was a fascinating process with a quite remarkable result. You have such a brilliant imagination and formidable making skills that you are limited only by your discretion in deciding that just because you can do a thing does not mean that you should do it.
Ben, I can't speak for everyone, but I love watching the "outside the box" builds that you do. The builds that you do may or may not always come out how they were intended and that's okay because in the end they end up as really cool guitars (could stand to see more basses). Your builds are inspiring people to build instruments and try different things for the sake of trying them. You build what you feel and we will keep being inspired to get out there and build.
It's funny how people get funny about this kind of build. I think alot of people keep their experimenting off camera. One of the things I actually like about this segment of the crimson chanel is the fact that your experimenting and letting us come along with you. Perhaps by not saying from the outset that your intention is to pushthe envelope with this build people expected a smooth step by step. I'd rather see an artist being creative Ben.
I once commissioned a Nigerian drum maker to make a drum for me. After 6 months I asked “how much longer it would be?” his reply “The drum will speak when it is ready to speak” You taught us a very valuable lesson in this build, that of time and resources management. Why not have builders rather than personalities in the invitational next year. I found last year’s GGBO far more instructional on the craft than this year.
Ben you have created a competition that has brought attention to hundreds of boutique luthiers, inspired many to come up with innovative and creative designs and you've done all this for completely unselfish reasons, benefiting both charities and home builders. For this you should be knighted for services to the luthiers community. Be proud of what you've accomplished.
You have a mind for innovation and breaking boundaries; you're also a natural teacher, and the joy you exude for experimentation, technique, and basic care for everything you do resonates through all your videos. Keep doing what you do. One guy's opinion - this build was nothing but a resounding success - people may quibble about aesthetic choices, but the amount of time my mind has pondered various aspects of this build greatly exceeds all other builds in this competition (invitational or otherwise), which makes it a winner in my book. Thank you for that!
"I need to stop pushing myself quite so hard to break the mold every single time I build a guitar. It's fun, it's interesting, but it is not actually what I'm here for. *I'm here to teach.* I'm here to teach people how to build guitars." There's a lot of things I'd like to say to that. I know guitars are what you DO on the face of things, but you're teaching far more than that. I'd argue that the more valuable lessons are actually showing the desire to think outside the box - there are certainly guitar-specific skills you cover, but there is SO MUCH more you're imparting, in a much broader way, that applies to most anything any of us may do - innovation, dedication to hard work and detail, seeing a project through to the end, and ;) never giving up on something by thinking your way out of problems. Not that you should let anyone on the internet tell you what to do, but please take this to heart: Please, _please_ , don't ever stop trying to break the mold.
This build was full of surprises, and, dare I say, mistakes that even me, an absolute amateur when it comes to guitar building, could have predicted. My first thought about the binding on the headstock was: This is not going to last long. When he started making the inlay with the edge of the abalone, my thoughts were: those are not going to be visible at all. Thirdly, it should have been clear from the beginning, that the dowels would look darker after the stain, so unless that's what you want, using stains shouldn't have been an option in the first place. I was shouting at the screen "DON'T" so may times during this build like never before. But the best thing about this build is, that Ben has no problems at all admitting things went wrong. This is much more educational than videos, where everything works perfectly from the beginning. Ben is a very humble man, and that's one of the reasons I really like his channel! Thanks Ben, you're a good man :)
Ben!! Seriously, this guitar is insane! first of all to even think of this concept your thinking waayyyyyyy outside of the box which blows away other builders....it's amazing to watch you create, instead of watching a boring fender or les paul typical build! And yes if we need to critique it at all, then the back finish should of matched the front....but if thats all it is then BE PROUD! this was an amazing build! PLEASE KEEP CREATING!!!!
Don't change. The reason I watch and support this channel is the unique and uncompromising way of making a guitar and also pushing the edges of what makes a guitar. If I wanted to watch someone make a basic guitar there are a thousand other other channels which will show me that; you show me the edges and I learn more from what doesn't work for you than from the others where it goes right.
As a guy that has more than a dozen traditional guitars, let me say that this guitar is wonderful because of the uniqueness it brings to the table...imperfections, errors, warts and all. You made a wonderful piece of art. If I could afford to simply purchase it out-right, I would. As is always the case, its the journey, not the destination, that forms us the most. This was a great journey with you.
Every thing that we might aesthetically dislike is completely trumped by the unique methods and daring ideas presented by this build. Why all those new ideas worked comes down to two things, your creative needs and your experience applied with joy. Love it, love your work, love you. You never have to apologise. And yes, build another one ASAP. Please. I will be right onto it!
Ben....I will never want you to stop chasing the artistic squirrels. Success or mistake matters little. You have taught me so much about trying! It's about the learning and the crafting. Thank you Ben.
Ben THIS is the video that i was truly hoping you would put out for this build. As an avid follower and Patreon member we can tell when you are content. There were a few times in this series that the viewer could see that you doubted yourself, and addressing it is exactly what we needed! We all have doubts, make mistakes, and go off plans as builders. This type of honesty gives encouragement to the rest of us out there that struggle and feel inadequate when watching theses polished/perfect Channels. Thank you again for being so open with your supporters. By the way, i loved the build…But agree the finish wasn’t my cup of tea.
I like everything about this guitar besides the back, although, maybe that's just because I am a sucker for beautiful wood, and it kind of hurt to see it covered up
@@rapscallion52 take a look at the episode where the inside (not stained) is sealed, and how it is a natural wonder and beauty. Then take a look at the top, when it is colured and stained, with a stain that disfigured all the natural figuring of the burr wood. Now, don't misunderstand me, the nebular finish _is_ does look great, but that could have been done on any piece of wood... (this is similar to the criticism talked about in the video where people were commenting that it was a shame to hide the flamed maple underneath all the silver paint...)
Precisely. This is the big problem. I would INFINITELY prefer to see a fine instrument develop over time with the attention that it deserves. These timed challenges and contests are beneath the aspirations that Crimson ostensibly stands for.
@@eliotmccann2589 I love his super long multiparty series where he and the guitar grow and evolve, often extremely far from the original :P tho the 2020 build is still my favourite guitar he has build.
Variety is the spice of life. Having an occasional speed challenge adds a different dimension to the builds. If every project had unlimited time there wouldn't be any element of jeopardy.
@@eliotmccann2589 Spot on! I get why there are time limits, they happen in the real world and we all want to make our customers happy. But deadlines are the enemy of quality and the priority when doing a custom build should always be quality. How about leaving the timed stuff to doing certain repairs in a certain time frame like maybe a fret job or a refin or even a restoration. Say the customer comes in and hands you and old Gibson that needs a lot of TLC and says "I am going out of town for a month and I would like it back then". Something along those lines. Don't do this with your custom builds. These are supposed to be FUN! :D
People make mistakes, even Ben Crowe. You are one of my “building heroes”, exactly because you are open about the fact that mistakes happen, even if you have 20 years experience.
Part of what I love about your channel Ben is you show the mistakes and admit when it didn’t go to plan. As a very amateur newbie to working with guitars it helps keep me going and chalk it up to the learning experience when I mess up.
Ben, I think what you've done here is amazing. Stop apologizing. The reason I love watching creative people is to enjoy the chances they are willing to take to achieve an end. Also, realize that you finished this particular video with "how much I enjoy learning". Note that no one learns much of anything by doing a perfect job. We learn from our mistakes - this is how we grow. All that being said, I have to say that I absolutely love the result on the front with the textured, metallized burst, and absolutely hate the fact that you didn't do the same thing on the back. Your headstock is fabulous - this may be the best resolved form and texture that I've ever seen on a guitar headstock. Well done and keep it up. You are a welcome part of my Saturday morning ritual. Thank you!
Ben - because of you I built my first scratch build… because of your inspiration and teaching I challenged myself to create a design tailored to my tastes and playing. In the end I have built my dream guitar starting with raw planks of wood (not precut blanks) something I would never have dreamed I could have done without your videos. Never stop being you! Your, as you call them mistakes have taught me more than most people’s lectures. I made every mistake you can think of but watching you taught me how to recover… do not change that. I may not have done what you did but it’s fabulous in its own right. You do you.. I can now say I build guitars because of what you do, now if I can learn to video well. Next GGBO…
Some of my favourite shows are the ones where Ben walks close to the line... loved this build success, faults warts and all.. it’s been one of my favourites, I think the fact you have made a follow video like this is the cherry on the cake. Don’t be tough on yourself, no one said it is suppposed to be easy .
I love that you are humble and admit your mistakes then detail them for others to learn from, other men in your position would double down on their denial and call everybody criticising (constructively) a troll! It's a skill I learned early on as a manager, the best strategy is to admit when you're wrong and acknowledge when someone has a better idea, even if they've worked there a week!
We can all chip in with opinions, but I'm just enjoying watching the unfolding of the creative process. It's always a treat to see a true craftsman using and experimenting with different materials and techniques. We learn more by stretching and challenging ourselves. People used to ask me if, as an artist, I could always manage to "stay within the lines" - my honest answer now is - probably never. So, on that note, keep 'em coming! D
I binged watched this entire build. Honestly, I was yelling at my screen as I watched that flame maple disappear beneath the paint. But when I watched episode 9, where you went over what went wrong, and the way you revealed all you would have done differently, I realized just how much I could learn from you. We rarely learn from our successes. The deepest learning comes from our mistakes and how we recover (or don’t) from those mistakes. When we can admit our mistakes, and learn how not to make them again...we grow and our skills improve. This episode made me a subscriber. Thank you for your honesty. I plan to learn all I can from you.
First thing. I'm not a guitar builder or even a wood worker. I love your videos because you're not perfect. It's making mistakes. Owning them and adapting to come up with a fix. You're a great talent. Stay calm, Build on.
This video is exactly what makes your channel great. As a professional creative, I know that mistakes and weird decision trees happen in every creative project. People that are not professionals at creative work often let these things discourage them. It’s important to show that part. I’d say that well over 90% of the creative work I do ends up going nowhere. And that’s fine! Because the 10% that goes all the way is the stuff that matters.
It's good for everyone to see a pros make mistakes. Other builds may not be so hard on themselves when they goof after seeing this. Thank you for being honest. It such a taboo to admit mistakes. It is refreshing. Ben is a stand up chap.
Not a guitarist, but learning to make furnature at home. Your channel is a huge inspiration. Working methods, creative process. And especially how you deal with problems and mistakes. Keep doing what you do. Its great! :)
Ben - the reason I get so much value from your builds is your embedding of the idea that you can always recover from (nearly) any mistake. And that there are many ways to rework, obfuscate or turn it into a unique and interesting feature. That you don't know what may be amazing until you try it. To look for inspiration outside of your own creative area (why I love Adam Savage) That where you end up, may not be where you had initially planned to go, but it may be where you needed to - both what you learned on the wayward journey as well as the transformation in yourself at the end. The little thing that elevates a lump of wood and wires into YOUR Guitar - or the equivalent for a customer - that inspires someone to pick it up and bring out it's inner song. The idea sparks that you have that then ignite ideas in others that then cascades outwards into a massive conflagration of creativity in guitar building. The final form may not be everyone's cup of tea - but it sure has made a lot of people start to think about how they might do it - and that wonderful creations will come from this new offshoot.
I’m at the beginning of my first scratch build (and have been for 2 months). I’ve made some very dumb, expensive mistakes. As emotionally morbid as it sounds, hearing you talk about the “mistakes” you made is helping me get over my crushing self doubt.. well maybe not over, but at least past. I appreciate your honesty. But mostly, I love your sense of adventure. Please don’t ever change.
Your tutorial videos are incredible. As someone just starting out in guitar building, your minimal tool build is something I watch almost weekly. Thank you for the incredible accessible content you provide to the world. Please don't stop pushing boundaries though. You have some amazing luthier(y), woodworking, design skills and the world is a much better place when you push those to the limit. It's only a failure if you don't learn from it and it seems like you learned a ton, and in turn, everyone who watched it learned a ton. I can't wait to see you butcher another piece of wood in new and creative ways!
Ben. Just. Keep. Going. You have easily been the greatest resource in my journey down this rabbit hole of instrument building. Your willingness to share your knowledge as well as the shear quantity and quality of content is leaps and bounds beyond anybody else. Keep swinging for the fences, keep doing crazy stuff, indulge in your whims! We all get to learn so much when you do. Even when our tastes differer from yours we are still learning. When you make a “mistake” we learn. When you do something amazing we learn. You are a fantastic teacher, keep doing your thing man!
Ben, I learn SO much from watching you overcome challenges/mistakes. I will make mistakes on every build I do, you’ve taught me to not panic or throw it out when it doesn’t go to plan. As well as Anglicizing my ‘Merican English.
Ben, you have taught us so much over the years of your videos, and shared your passion for guitars, and teaching with us all. It is really easy for us to see you are a creative person, and don't stop that ever, try as you might, you will never be happy doing just a guitar, you have to be pushing the envelope, and you take us with you to learn with you, so you are still teaching, but we are all learning together. Keep it up. I don't know how to work with wood, but because of your videos, I have decided to give it a go, and try to make a wooden Cane for my Dad, and even used Fire(yeah) as a finish, and sanded it back. The carving sucks, but I carved with a chain saw, pocket knife, and sand paper(all I have with me) at least I gave it a go, and learned.
i don't think you need to stop pushing boundaries, you doing new stuff and bring excited is a part of your charm I think you making bizarre and crazy creative new stuff is actually teaching more than seeing you make a 335 or anything, you teach the design part as well as the building part and it's awesome you just need to learn some time management/decide you don't have time cap keep the good job up dude
I think everything you're doing to give attention to makers and promote a community of builders pushing themselves is just AWESOME! I hope the BS around the competition hasn't discouraged you from continuing to evolve the GGBO and keep it going because it's done so much good already and the potential has yet to be tapped!
Honestly? I really like the red/black/silver look of the front and headstock. I said in the last video that it feels like a blues monster, and I still feel that way, but another genre it's absolutely perfect for (visually at least) is psychobilly and swamp rock. That wrought iron texture, with the aging of the black around/beneath the shine, really plays into a lot of the aesthetic that kind of music tends to evoke. Which might be an idea for the back too? I don't think it's near as bad as most folks feel it is, but a black drybrush over the top of the silver to age it up to match the feeling of the front and headstock would probably make it a lot more cohesive. I WISH I had the money to bid on this thing. Yeah, it got away from you and shows it... but the end result is still a beautiful, kickass guitar.
Noooo don't stop pushing yourself out of the boundaries, it is the whole point of "creativity" and the mistakes and decisions that come with it are part of the journey ! Plus your limitless creativity is exactly why you are not just an entertainment, but mainly an inspiration
Ben, you are far far to hard on yourself. It was an organic build, there will always be would'a-could'a-should'a... beautiful guitar, outstanding concept. Please, just stop beating yourself up and enjoy the moment!! Thanks for bringing us along.
Your Channel is one of the biggest reasons I build guitars. I love that you try new things even if they fail. I think the concept of the guitar is amazing. Keep kicking ass.
The most important thing about experimenting is tolerating failure; without failure, we learn nothing and experimentation is pointless. I deeply respect and always learn from your creativity - keep it up!
One of the many things I love about this channel - and you - is that you don't shy away from showing us mistakes. We all make them. How we fix/handle/incorporate and/or move on from them is how we either learn and grow as human beings or we regress. I'm also incredibly happy to see that every single time - including and especially this time - you're in the learn and grow category. Personally, I love everything about this guitar except the silver and I've said it before, but I will admit that the silver burst on the front has grown on me more with each video, despite my strong negative response to it initially (which I'm sure was fueled by my own expectations and biases.) I still don't like the back though... As always I look forward to whatever comes next.
Ben, keep being you. Your approach to guitar building and how you teach us as you process your ideas inspired me to start building my own guitars, like many others who watch you. Even the master learns from time to time. Grab more coffee and move on to your next awesome idea!
Hi Ben. I have followed you for a few years now and never left a comment before this. I enjoy your channel for 3 reasons: entertainment, instruction, and most importantly, the art of what you create. I don't want to watch a manufacturing process, I want to see inspired creation. The resulting unique product is not always what I like, which is expected as any item of art will never appeal to everyone. However, I enjoy and appreciate everything you build. I also respect how you handled yourself in this latest video. I look forward to your future content!
Ben. Considering you keep saying on your livestreams that you were so arrogant, this video proves otherwise. Your humbleness and willingness to admit mistakes is one of your greatest strengths as a teacher. What attracted me to your channel in the first place was the fact that you DO go off script; that you do say "I wonder...." and then try something new or different or outside the box. Please don't change that. Watching someone build something to plan is relaxing, but you don't learn how the creative process works! You're just watching a skilled maker make something. You take luthiery to another level because you're willing to take risks and follow trains of thought even when they derail. You and Tchik have convinced me to try woodworking and luthiery when I have never thought of myself as a manual artist because of how you approach the art of guitar building. Also remember that the reason you've been so successful both on YT and in your businesses is because you were willing to try different things, think outside the square and take chances. It makes you a better person, a better luthier, and a better businessman. Wisdom is admitting your mistakes and learning from them. Creativity is making those mistakes in the first place. Congratulations on doing something nobody has thought of before and bringing the art of wood to a new level. Sorry for the novel, but you're an inspiration to me and so many others, and WHO YOU ARE is a massive part of that. Thank you for being you.
Ben, I’ve loved diligently watching your videos for years and years now, and part of what’s drawn me to your channel is your penchant for pushing the boundaries of what’s “normal”for a guitar build. I can also say that as a performer I’ve learned that eliciting an emotional response (whether good or bad) means that you are doing your job as an artist. Don’t justify yourself, as an artist you don’t need to. Can you imagine someone asking Picasso to repaint a portrait so the subject looks “normal”!?! You’re doing great, stick to your guns, and keep being you! I like the guitar, I’d love to see a version done of this guitar with the original headstock adornment done with aluminum! Could be a cool idea to theme it as a sword with the headstock as the hilt, the fretboard done in aluminum as well, could even be aluminum skewers too! Keep doing what your doing!
Ben, you are an incredibly humble man. You have talent and vision and you made it happen. The finish, yeah the front is amazing and the headstock is awesome. I love the build and love how you’ve taken the time to explain what you can do different next. Never stop learning and never stop trying to push the envelope!
Ben, I'm very new to guitar building, in that the first body blank I've made is still sitting in my garage waiting to finish being shaped. Your channel is part of what's inspired me to start learning to build guitars. Part of why I'm sitting in my living room instead of my garage with a chisel in my hand is just what you talk about in this video: sometimes you lose the vision, however ambitious or simple, of what you want your art to look like. And when that happens, sometimes the best fix is to stop what you're doing until that vision gets a bit clearer. Thank you for this video, both for your honesty, and the reassurance that guitar builders of all skill levels can get a bit lost in what they want to make happen.
The big take out for me is massive reassurance that even someone who has been building instruments for years can fuck up. So, I don’t feel so bad that not everything I try works. More than that, you get something out of everything you try - even if it’s confirmation not to do it again. The design you came up with is interesting and has sparked many ideas on what variations can be rung on that theme. Thank you for the inspiration.
So true, 35+ years in and I still make some mistakes, it's inevitable especially when trying new approaches. The difference is I don't video every job, that is why I subscribe to Ben/Crimson and others. :)
I think the biggest positive is that when viewers dont like something we will tell you honestly and frankly so when we like something we genuinely mean it, it's not just polite compliments.
Never be sorry for the things that go wrong. Learn from it and take it with you to the next build. I liked this series very much, and it shows how things can take a different path. It was nice to see how you tried to resolve the issues.
As I sit here sanding the back of my first guitar kit to zero after screwing up the finish, I can’t tell you enough how reassuring it is to hear that I’m not alone. Your builds were what inspired me to get in there and try. Thank you.
i can highly recommend to people wipe on polyurethane, either make your own or buy some. you get a very nice finish, dries quicker and less sanding to smooth. if you dont want to use a rattle can as your scared, use wipe on poly
Ben I think you hit the nail on the head saying you tried too many new things in one build. For my 2 pennies worth, The shape and construction method are fantastic. When you made the mistake on the finish I would have stripped it back completely and done a natural finish. If you wanted to disguise the freckles you could have done a simplified vine inlay to link them all and tie in with the fretboard.
I don't think you made any mistakes Ben, the guitar is functional, looks amazing and is original. No need to justify your work or moves. I can only see one negative point, feedback, that's all that should dissapoint you. If you love the guitar no need to apologise. If someone doesn't like it, hard luck for them.
I'm sure a lot of us could see you covering one error with another as we watched. It's not just in guitar building that happens! But this is why I watch (and Tamar 3x3). Just keep being you - that, after all, is why this is a great channel.
It's a fascinating build... I LOATHED your initial headstock design, and frankly was glad it failed. HOWEVER, I actually loved the finished body shape and headstock. It's really is that rarest of guitars - it looks like a 50's guitar but modern, a lost Fender or Gibson concept. I would buy a thinline or solid body version of that in a heartbeat (especially if you'd break a habit and actually use p90s or single coils for a change!)
Ben, I appreciate and respect your decision to give your guitar and yourself a public autopsy. You are definitely teaching how to do things properly. Cheers!
Hi. I went to at college in the early 70s. I mainly did painting and printmaking. On a number of occasions, one of the tutors told me, 'BLOTT, your always buggering up your work. Know when to stop and think and then know when to stop'. I know what he meant. Honest appraisal is great. A second lesson I learnt was years later. I found a folder full of old watercolor painting I had done some years before and hated. When I took them each one out of the folder, I was amazed how good they were. Sometimes distance brings the focus the now does not give us. Be well. Take care and thank you.
Dear Ben. This chanel contains so much content, that has to do with experimenting and invention. Of course you are building still guitars, but not the normal ones. And that is why I am enjoying your videos. There are thousands of videos on YT in wich one can see how to bild a "normal" guitar and there is no need of more of them. What you are dealing with are ideas, that often are fresh and new and that is what I take from here to make my own stuff. You inspire me to have own ideas, more than other builders do. This guitar may not be liked by most of the viewers, and yes, I would have done some things in an other way, but it is creative, innovative, and at the end of the day it is a real cool guitar. I like it and I am glad for so many new ideas that you gave me with this. So, there is no need to appologise for anything. Mistakes are the things that bring us to future. ... Future, ...by the way, when will we se your build of a viola da gamba. ;) - Have a nice weekend ... and don't sand off the back!
Ben, I can imagine how upsetting reading all the negative comments you've been getting must be, especially as you admit to agreeing with a lot of them. It would be pretty crushing. So I just wanted to chime in with the things I really like about this guitar. I really love how the headstock turned out, the curves and the carve are beautiful. I love the struts between back and top, and the bend you put into the top is so cool. The shape of the guitar body is great. Even though it's not the sort of shape I usually like, I think it really works here. It's just the finish that's bollixed it up, and even then, the way the binding pops is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to the Mk 2 version!
Playing with limits, pushing through the fear of failure, hearing the inspiration and reasoning behind choices, and the repercussions, is what makes these builds valuable to anyone who wants to learn about creating.
Your biggest mistake was not pushing yourself, it was trying to build something different rather than something good. The best guitar I've seen made in this competition was one of the most traditional guitars you could make, but the level of quality, attention to detail, design, and the sheer beauty of the construction is what makes it great, and in my opinion, a competition winner. There's nothing "different" about it, as an instrument, but it's just really, really good.
Apart from the back, I think it looks stunning. With sort of the same burst on the back it would be a homerun. I really enjoyed the series and I look forward to the next. As a home bilder with limited access to equipment I really appreciate your decision to limit your use of power tools. Don't change, Ben. Showing that a Master luthier can make mistakes and show how you solve the issues is admirable and very big of you.
I still love everything about the build, Ben.If only I had the resources, I'd buy that guitar immediately! Kudos to you and the rest of Crimson Guitars!
As I watched you I thought " I have commented in the past about how your work exposes your thought processes". I feel that I must say more. Each step of a build opens up more options, So look at those options and go with the feelings that are evoked (usually excitement). The excitement means that you look at the end stage. Sometimes the end stage needs more thought about the barriers that are there. Excitement and then dealing with disappointment has taught me a lot. When I visited an exhibition of pre-Raphaelite painters. Each finished painting had an astonishing amount of work (sketches, uses of different colours, different poses and on and on) GGBO is a preparatory work. Would I love to own pre-Raphaelite prep work? Too right. Would I love to own GGBO build as is? Absolutely. It is a build full of your soul and emotion. In conclusion: Learned loads; love to hear about improvements; adore the heart that you put into your work; perhaps time to change; perhaps time to appreciate your effect.
We learn from our mistakes and with that we all learn as much from yours, if not more because we see your experience and expertise at work to remedy it. Keep doing out-there designs, the boundaries are there to be pushed.
This guitar is obviously different to most other guitars in many, many ways. That's a great, inspiring thing. I absolutely love the mindset of trying something new, figuring out if it works, even though you're not sure. That's adding so many "jokers to your deck" of guitar building, and you share it with us so we can take your ideas and bring them to the next level. Of course some of these ideas are problematic, that's the point imho. The result is polarising, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. It isn't my favourite guitar in the ggbo, but who cares? The value lies in pushing the boundaries and just trying stuff. I genuinely love this guitar for that.
Ben the whole guitar looks absolutely fabulous. The back is fine as is . Unique and cutting edge is an understatement. The headstock is a thing of beauty and the textures are amazing. Your creativity and recovery from , as Bob Ross always said, happy little accidents , is the reason I love your videos of your builds. Good to see Crimson becoming more normal as far as students returning but I love the home studio and the work you do there. Bottom line, GREAT BUILD AS IS .
I’ve been watching your videos for the better part of two years and in that time you have, for the lack of a better word, wowed me in your guitar work. I think that in any type art there in a fine line between perfection and cluttered. Some times what sounds like a great idea ends up not what was intended. Please don’t let this small set back stop your drive to break the boundaries of guitar building.
As a woodworker and fellow guitar maker, there were so many times during this build that I was like “NOOOOO, don’t do it!” But, I do appreciate you pushing the boundaries and having no fear.
Some of the most interesting and entertaining parts of your builds to me are seeing how you pivot and reach your “happy accident” results. Do not apologize for being true to your process.
Love the honesty. It shows your integrity and candor. Personally, I adore the shape, headstock, binding and the textured finish. I would love all of that incorporated into a solid body version.
I love everything about this video, and I hope that I can be even a quarter as gracious and self-reflective in facing my own mistakes. Ben you are a true gentleman and an example to the rest of us, particularly in the face of those pieces of feedback that were delivered in, shall we say, a less than constructive manner. Despite being one of those who couldn’t get behind the last parts of the finish, I’ve never been more on-board with and confident in my continued appreciation and fandom of Ben and his work, both the traditional and the pushed boundaries. P.S. Although I would never dream of suggesting abandoning your exploration of the wilder types of guitar building (and would indeed be terribly disappointed if you ever did), a series of “Ben builds the Classics” would be amazing to watch. Seeing that master-builder level of attention to detail applied to the traditional guitar designs would be a great resource and benchmark to measure ourselves against.
A year on, and i just stumbled across this video again. I loved the design of this guitar so much that I bought the bloody thing! Just to update you, the guitar is still super stable, and gets played regularly (it's still the main guitar I pick up) I also don't believe in being super precious with my guitars so it's been gigged and had a few knocks. The finish it holding up well, bar a chunk scratched on the front in the melomine, which I swore about at the time, but that's all part of the story. Ben offered to refinish the guitar for me, which I chose not do, again, it's all part of the story!
It's an impressive feat of construction no matter what anyone says about the color or finishes. Even the finishes were an educational experiment and interesting on their own. Well done. I hope you don't let stupid comments stifle any of your creativity.
We all make mistakes but admitting a mistake's been made, correcting it and learning from it is how we progress. I like the guitar- front and back both look good, but may work better on separate instruments. It's the weird developments that occur in your builds that keep me riveted to this channel, seeing how a slight change leads to something very special. A case in point is The Complication, which I've just been watching again as it's my favourite of all the Crimson builds. The way it evolved was something really special and it's the little (and sometimes not so little) innovations that make your guitars unique.
Ben, what can I say, bloody inspirational my friend! The build was a total rollercoaster! You had me shifting from "What the hell is he doing" to "OMG I love that thing" and back. You've got to push boundaries, otherwise you don't learn, and I have huge respect for you baring all, and showing your mistakes. This video is just great, to hear the thought process, it's like watching an M Night Shyalaman film and then going back and watching it with the directors commentary to make it all make sense. I think the headstock is one of the best looking headstocks I have ever seen, I'm really pleased that the original idea didn't work out, as otherwise you'd not have done what you later did. The finish of the final thing really isn't for me, but I can see that it would look amazing re-done. Keep on pushing, you're the one luthier that properly inspires me, I'm working my way slowly through my first ever build, and it is from scratch, thanks to you and your openness and sharing of your art. Rock on my friend, and nice to see the Fastrider making another appearance ;)
This was a great epilogue Ben! Hindsight is 20/20, but if you were to do a version 2 of this guitar I'd suggest: Keep the body shape and the "hip" cutouts with the binding. That look is fantastic, and has a nice female form vibe to it. Keep the neck inlay. It goes great with the body shape. FIll the stalk and leaves with the same material. The two tone inlay detracts from the simple beauty of the inlay design. Do a similar slope and binding effect on the headstock that you did on the body to tie the two together. Neither the binding loop approach nor the current headstock design match the body well, IMHO. Only use vertical bamboo skewers to tie the front and back together. The diagonal skewers detract from the simple, feminine lines. Embrace the skewer "freckles". Instead of covering the dots, use them for the sunburst effect by creating a halftone effect, adding similar diameter painted or stained dots around the edge that fade in density as you move toward the center. You could use a piece of the skewer to apply the "fake" dots, so they would be the same size as the real ones. Stain the interior of the veneers before attaching them :-) Integrate a Faraday cage around the controls between the veneers. Avoid all the textures and silver effects. They have a distressed or technical look that doesn't fit well with the body design or inlay. Build a left-handed version for me :-) Good luck with the GGBO this year, Ben! There are so many great entries this year. It was very smart of you to outsource the judging :-)
I have only just watched this vid (June 2022) after having meeting Ben at the Birmingham guitar show! I wish I had watched this before meeting you Ben, as I think the shape and contours of this guitar body and headstock should be one of your solid body or semi hollow body production guitars. The shape has some of the nicest and tasteful curves I have seen on a guitar. It looks so organic and in the vintage burst I would seriously, seriously consider purchasing one.
I love the shape and front of the headstock but not the finish on the back. Love the finish on the back of the neck. I didn’t like the skewers only because of the random angles - set straight and regularly would have, in my opinion, looked better. The texture on the front is okay and I quite like it with the red (makes it look like it’s been distressed and in some sort of industrial accident) and if the back had matched it would have looked great. Hope you’ll do a prologue showing how you change it for the final owner.
I've been a subscriber to Crimson for a while (first video was the end of the Complicated Build, I think, first full build series was the epoxy river guitar) and I have to say this. Ben is an absolutely epic craftsman, and that raw artistic talent is blatantly obvious and amazing to watch. The simple fact that Crimson has over 250 thousand subscribers is a testament to how ingenious Ben's guitars are. I'll prefix what I'm about to say with the fact that my favourite build was the 2020 build. I loved the padauk colouring, I love the angles and the Explorer-esque shapes, I loved the semi-acoustic, open design, and I loved the natural finish. Personally, I feel that these builds have almost gone too far into "let's push the limits of what is possible and build the most outlandish, the most artistic, the most out-there guitar imaginable". The Cyberpunk build, for example - a guitar that is quite literally held together with bolts. The GBBO 2020 submission - shielding paint, Dremel-induced texture and half the material missing. Yes, they are the very definition of "custom", but they're so experimental that it sometimes detracts from the end result. There are also some elements to the builds which could be covered in their own mini-series and then referred to - fret-work for example - and that would help the series flow a little better. Before anyone starts with the "well experimenting on-camera is cool" angle - I absolutely 100% agree. The bridge for Shred is inspired, and I can't wait to see future iterations of it - stuff like this is why I love Crimson and why I love Ben as a luthier, engineer and craftsman. Sometimes it doesn't go according to plan, and those moments are just as valuable. What I think would help is doing less builds - as much as I love Shred and Nebula being done in parallel, there's too little room for overflow or delays - which when you're an awesome creative mind, having to context-switch might be more pain than it's worth.
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Top is really good lookin the coners reflect light nicely when light angle change it look like black. If I was pet this guitars I wanna keep it like how it is now. Your guitar look so super🙂👍👍👍👍👍👍
@Maddog mikey Yes it would look good as that red and black burst alone - if I were buying a guitar to play that is. As an experiment or concept well he has tried it, it doesn't really work but at least he tried something new.
@@gooseholla1 I really like that black silver combo on top🙂 If something has to change bottom should be black or dark wine red colour.
Looking at that head tattoo, id'e say that you've made poor decisions before. LOL I'm joking. I love the build and your content. Don't be too hard on yourself.
I loved this video! The next build of this body will be great. All of the experimenting is out of your system. Right? Right?! You said it best, it was just too many ingredients in this broth, but it was a great canvas for testing SO MANY new ideas on. Just think of how much more wisdom you have today that you didn't have 3 weeks ago. This build gave that to you...to all of us. Rock on, Ben!
I'm one of the people who expressed that they do not like how the finish turned out, but as the old saying goes "you can't please everyone." It's not for me, its not for the next guy that doesn't like it, but it is for the buyer who decides that they do love it how it is. Without your pushing the boundaries and testing yourself no new grounds are broken. You do not have to make more traditional style guitars, you do have to do what you love, and despite what you may think about a guitar that many people do not like, there is still a ton of quality content behind it and a lot to learn from within the videos. Do you, "play," keep on making these wild creations, your guitars are uniquely yours and nothing to apologise for!
Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do for the guitar community, without yourself and a few select youtubers I would not be pushing myself to start my own guitar based business at home, and I can only dream to have my own store/workshop one day!
This “epilogue” type of episode is a nice idea. It’s nice to hear a recap and more detailed discussion of some of the design choices. In the end, it’s definitely an interesting guitar. And that’s what we come to this channel to see.
You know what, Ben? Im personally not a fan of the finish on this guitar, but I dont think you should change who you are and your way of breaking boundaries. Whether the outcome is positive or negative, there is growth in both and if you love what you do then I say keep being you! :) Thats who we all love and keep watching. Not "Ben who sticks to guidelines and builds the same guitars that everyone else builds". Keep it going!
yea!!
Yup! Agreed. Because of Ben, I want to learn how to build and play guitar. So much fun to watch.
I don't think he wants to completely limit himself, but he went a bit too far on this build and tried to put too many ideas into it. I think that is why he wants to set some more boundaries for himself. I mean there are enough weird ideas in this build to make 2 or 3 unique guitars that would have come out far better than this imho.
When you can be honest with yourself and learn from your own mistakes, growth happens. This video shows growth. Good job Ben!
Steady on big fella, don't beat yourself up. The whole build was so good to watch, loving or hating your decisions and enjoining the ride from start to finish and definately learning along the way. Chin up mate, the guitar is amazing, we love what you do. Can't wait to see what's next.
I for one appreciate the humility. Your willingness to open yourself up to brutal criticism is refreshing! We're all the better for it. Absolutely love the body shape...glad to hear you'll do it again. There are flashes of brilliance here. That headstock for example; went from 'is he really going to do that?' to 'that is amazing!'. A great fix. Now, about that finish...
This build was a fascinating process with a quite remarkable result. You have such a brilliant imagination and formidable making skills that you are limited only by your discretion in deciding that just because you can do a thing does not mean that you should do it.
This.. very much this.. just because you can doesn't mean you should! Thank you. B
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars see also: slap bass 😉😀
Ben, I can't speak for everyone, but I love watching the "outside the box" builds that you do. The builds that you do may or may not always come out how they were intended and that's okay because in the end they end up as really cool guitars (could stand to see more basses). Your builds are inspiring people to build instruments and try different things for the sake of trying them. You build what you feel and we will keep being inspired to get out there and build.
It's funny how people get funny about this kind of build. I think alot of people keep their experimenting off camera. One of the things I actually like about this segment of the crimson chanel is the fact that your experimenting and letting us come along with you.
Perhaps by not saying from the outset that your intention is to pushthe envelope with this build people expected a smooth step by step.
I'd rather see an artist being creative Ben.
I once commissioned a Nigerian drum maker to make a drum for me. After 6 months I asked “how much longer it would be?” his reply “The drum will speak when it is ready to speak”
You taught us a very valuable lesson in this build, that of time and resources management. Why not have builders rather than personalities in the invitational next year. I found last year’s GGBO far more instructional on the craft than this year.
Ben you have created a competition that has brought attention to hundreds of boutique luthiers, inspired many to come up with innovative and creative designs and you've done all this for completely unselfish reasons, benefiting both charities and home builders. For this you should be knighted for services to the luthiers community. Be proud of what you've accomplished.
You have a mind for innovation and breaking boundaries; you're also a natural teacher, and the joy you exude for experimentation, technique, and basic care for everything you do resonates through all your videos. Keep doing what you do. One guy's opinion - this build was nothing but a resounding success - people may quibble about aesthetic choices, but the amount of time my mind has pondered various aspects of this build greatly exceeds all other builds in this competition (invitational or otherwise), which makes it a winner in my book. Thank you for that!
"I need to stop pushing myself quite so hard to break the mold every single time I build a guitar. It's fun, it's interesting, but it is not actually what I'm here for. *I'm here to teach.* I'm here to teach people how to build guitars."
There's a lot of things I'd like to say to that. I know guitars are what you DO on the face of things, but you're teaching far more than that. I'd argue that the more valuable lessons are actually showing the desire to think outside the box - there are certainly guitar-specific skills you cover, but there is SO MUCH more you're imparting, in a much broader way, that applies to most anything any of us may do - innovation, dedication to hard work and detail, seeing a project through to the end, and ;) never giving up on something by thinking your way out of problems.
Not that you should let anyone on the internet tell you what to do, but please take this to heart: Please, _please_ , don't ever stop trying to break the mold.
i agree wholeheartedly
This build was full of surprises, and, dare I say, mistakes that even me, an absolute amateur when it comes to guitar building, could have predicted. My first thought about the binding on the headstock was: This is not going to last long. When he started making the inlay with the edge of the abalone, my thoughts were: those are not going to be visible at all. Thirdly, it should have been clear from the beginning, that the dowels would look darker after the stain, so unless that's what you want, using stains shouldn't have been an option in the first place.
I was shouting at the screen "DON'T" so may times during this build like never before.
But the best thing about this build is, that Ben has no problems at all admitting things went wrong. This is much more educational than videos, where everything works perfectly from the beginning. Ben is a very humble man, and that's one of the reasons I really like his channel! Thanks Ben, you're a good man :)
As a fellow artist I can relate to this so much, sometimes you just experiment and fail, and honestly I really liked seeing your process.
I don't think it's even a huge failure if you learn something from it. Even more so if other people can learn too! 😁
Ben!! Seriously, this guitar is insane! first of all to even think of this concept your thinking waayyyyyyy outside of the box which blows away other builders....it's amazing to watch you create, instead of watching a boring fender or les paul typical build! And yes if we need to critique it at all, then the back finish should of matched the front....but if thats all it is then BE PROUD! this was an amazing build! PLEASE KEEP CREATING!!!!
Don't change. The reason I watch and support this channel is the unique and uncompromising way of making a guitar and also pushing the edges of what makes a guitar. If I wanted to watch someone make a basic guitar there are a thousand other other channels which will show me that; you show me the edges and I learn more from what doesn't work for you than from the others where it goes right.
hi Ben! i love that guitar.. the entire build was fun to watch.. it was a roller coaster ride of shock & awe
As a guy that has more than a dozen traditional guitars, let me say that this guitar is wonderful because of the uniqueness it brings to the table...imperfections, errors, warts and all. You made a wonderful piece of art. If I could afford to simply purchase it out-right, I would. As is always the case, its the journey, not the destination, that forms us the most. This was a great journey with you.
Every thing that we might aesthetically dislike is completely trumped by the unique methods and daring ideas presented by this build. Why all those new ideas worked comes down to two things, your creative needs and your experience applied with joy. Love it, love your work, love you. You never have to apologise. And yes, build another one ASAP. Please. I will be right onto it!
Ben....I will never want you to stop chasing the artistic squirrels. Success or mistake matters little. You have taught me so much about trying! It's about the learning and the crafting. Thank you Ben.
Ben THIS is the video that i was truly hoping you would put out for this build. As an avid follower and Patreon member we can tell when you are content. There were a few times in this series that the viewer could see that you doubted yourself, and addressing it is exactly what we needed! We all have doubts, make mistakes, and go off plans as builders. This type of honesty gives encouragement to the rest of us out there that struggle and feel inadequate when watching theses polished/perfect Channels. Thank you again for being so open with your supporters. By the way, i loved the build…But agree the finish wasn’t my cup of tea.
I like everything about this guitar besides the back, although, maybe that's just because I am a sucker for beautiful wood, and it kind of hurt to see it covered up
same here. The guitar is absolutely stunning, but covering up that back wood was sacrilege.
I feel the same way about the Nebula 2 build, Beautiful wood, covered in stain...
Totally agree if the back just matched the neck it would be mint in my opinion
@@danielr82 but the thing about stain is that the wood is still there underneath
@@rapscallion52 take a look at the episode where the inside (not stained) is sealed, and how it is a natural wonder and beauty.
Then take a look at the top, when it is colured and stained, with a stain that disfigured all the natural figuring of the burr wood.
Now, don't misunderstand me, the nebular finish _is_ does look great, but that could have been done on any piece of wood... (this is similar to the criticism talked about in the video where people were commenting that it was a shame to hide the flamed maple underneath all the silver paint...)
Ben: "I don't want to rush things."
Also Ben: "THE 1 HOUR CHALLENGE"
Precisely. This is the big problem. I would INFINITELY prefer to see a fine instrument develop over time with the attention that it deserves. These timed challenges and contests are beneath the aspirations that Crimson ostensibly stands for.
@@eliotmccann2589 I love his super long multiparty series where he and the guitar grow and evolve, often extremely far from the original :P tho the 2020 build is still my favourite guitar he has build.
Variety is the spice of life.
Having an occasional speed challenge adds a different dimension to the builds. If every project had unlimited time there wouldn't be any element of jeopardy.
@@eliotmccann2589 Spot on! I get why there are time limits, they happen in the real world and we all want to make our customers happy. But deadlines are the enemy of quality and the priority when doing a custom build should always be quality. How about leaving the timed stuff to doing certain repairs in a certain time frame like maybe a fret job or a refin or even a restoration. Say the customer comes in and hands you and old Gibson that needs a lot of TLC and says "I am going out of town for a month and I would like it back then". Something along those lines. Don't do this with your custom builds. These are supposed to be FUN! :D
People make mistakes, even Ben Crowe. You are one of my “building heroes”, exactly because you are open about the fact that mistakes happen, even if you have 20 years experience.
Part of what I love about your channel Ben is you show the mistakes and admit when it didn’t go to plan. As a very amateur newbie to working with guitars it helps keep me going and chalk it up to the learning experience when I mess up.
Ben, I think what you've done here is amazing. Stop apologizing. The reason I love watching creative people is to enjoy the chances they are willing to take to achieve an end. Also, realize that you finished this particular video with "how much I enjoy learning". Note that no one learns much of anything by doing a perfect job. We learn from our mistakes - this is how we grow. All that being said, I have to say that I absolutely love the result on the front with the textured, metallized burst, and absolutely hate the fact that you didn't do the same thing on the back. Your headstock is fabulous - this may be the best resolved form and texture that I've ever seen on a guitar headstock. Well done and keep it up. You are a welcome part of my Saturday morning ritual. Thank you!
Ben - because of you I built my first scratch build… because of your inspiration and teaching I challenged myself to create a design tailored to my tastes and playing. In the end I have built my dream guitar starting with raw planks of wood (not precut blanks) something I would never have dreamed I could have done without your videos. Never stop being you! Your, as you call them mistakes have taught me more than most people’s lectures. I made every mistake you can think of but watching you taught me how to recover… do not change that. I may not have done what you did but it’s fabulous in its own right. You do you.. I can now say I build guitars because of what you do, now if I can learn to video well. Next GGBO…
Some of my favourite shows are the ones where Ben walks close to the line... loved this build success, faults warts and all.. it’s been one of my favourites, I think the fact you have made a follow video like this is the cherry on the cake. Don’t be tough on yourself, no one said it is suppposed to be easy .
Thank you for making all this content I watch for free. I have no business complaining about anything
I love that you are humble and admit your mistakes then detail them for others to learn from, other men in your position would double down on their denial and call everybody criticising (constructively) a troll!
It's a skill I learned early on as a manager, the best strategy is to admit when you're wrong and acknowledge when someone has a better idea, even if they've worked there a week!
We can all chip in with opinions, but I'm just enjoying watching the unfolding of the creative process. It's always a treat to see a true craftsman using and experimenting with different materials and techniques. We learn more by stretching and challenging ourselves. People used to ask me if, as an artist, I could always manage to "stay within the lines" - my honest answer now is - probably never. So, on that note, keep 'em coming! D
I binged watched this entire build. Honestly, I was yelling at my screen as I watched that flame maple disappear beneath the paint. But when I watched episode 9, where you went over what went wrong, and the way you revealed all you would have done differently, I realized just how much I could learn from you. We rarely learn from our successes. The deepest learning comes from our mistakes and how we recover (or don’t) from those mistakes. When we can admit our mistakes, and learn how not to make them again...we grow and our skills improve. This episode made me a subscriber. Thank you for your honesty. I plan to learn all I can from you.
First thing. I'm not a guitar builder or even a wood worker. I love your videos because you're not perfect. It's making mistakes. Owning them and adapting to come up with a fix. You're a great talent.
Stay calm, Build on.
This video is exactly what makes your channel great. As a professional creative, I know that mistakes and weird decision trees happen in every creative project. People that are not professionals at creative work often let these things discourage them. It’s important to show that part. I’d say that well over 90% of the creative work I do ends up going nowhere. And that’s fine! Because the 10% that goes all the way is the stuff that matters.
It's good for everyone to see a pros make mistakes. Other builds may not be so hard on themselves when they goof after seeing this. Thank you for being honest. It such a taboo to admit mistakes. It is refreshing. Ben is a stand up chap.
Not a guitarist, but learning to make furnature at home. Your channel is a huge inspiration. Working methods, creative process. And especially how you deal with problems and mistakes. Keep doing what you do. Its great! :)
Ben - the reason I get so much value from your builds is your embedding of the idea that you can always recover from (nearly) any mistake.
And that there are many ways to rework, obfuscate or turn it into a unique and interesting feature.
That you don't know what may be amazing until you try it.
To look for inspiration outside of your own creative area (why I love Adam Savage)
That where you end up, may not be where you had initially planned to go, but it may be where you needed to - both what you learned on the wayward journey as well as the transformation in yourself at the end.
The little thing that elevates a lump of wood and wires into YOUR Guitar - or the equivalent for a customer - that inspires someone to pick it up and bring out it's inner song.
The idea sparks that you have that then ignite ideas in others that then cascades outwards into a massive conflagration of creativity in guitar building.
The final form may not be everyone's cup of tea - but it sure has made a lot of people start to think about how they might do it - and that wonderful creations will come from this new offshoot.
I’m at the beginning of my first scratch build (and have been for 2 months). I’ve made some very dumb, expensive mistakes. As emotionally morbid as it sounds, hearing you talk about the “mistakes” you made is helping me get over my crushing self doubt.. well maybe not over, but at least past. I appreciate your honesty. But mostly, I love your sense of adventure. Please don’t ever change.
Your tutorial videos are incredible. As someone just starting out in guitar building, your minimal tool build is something I watch almost weekly. Thank you for the incredible accessible content you provide to the world.
Please don't stop pushing boundaries though. You have some amazing luthier(y), woodworking, design skills and the world is a much better place when you push those to the limit. It's only a failure if you don't learn from it and it seems like you learned a ton, and in turn, everyone who watched it learned a ton.
I can't wait to see you butcher another piece of wood in new and creative ways!
Ben. Just. Keep. Going.
You have easily been the greatest resource in my journey down this rabbit hole of instrument building. Your willingness to share your knowledge as well as the shear quantity and quality of content is leaps and bounds beyond anybody else. Keep swinging for the fences, keep doing crazy stuff, indulge in your whims! We all get to learn so much when you do. Even when our tastes differer from yours we are still learning. When you make a “mistake” we learn. When you do something amazing we learn. You are a fantastic teacher, keep doing your thing man!
What a legend. Ben, being able to admit and learn from mistakes is the #1 quality of all grear craftsmen.
Ben please don’t stop innovating and experimenting. We won’t always like it but sometimes we’ll love it.
Ben, I learn SO much from watching you overcome challenges/mistakes. I will make mistakes on every build I do, you’ve taught me to not panic or throw it out when it doesn’t go to plan. As well as Anglicizing my ‘Merican English.
Ben, you have taught us so much over the years of your videos, and shared your passion for guitars, and teaching with us all. It is really easy for us to see you are a creative person, and don't stop that ever, try as you might, you will never be happy doing just a guitar, you have to be pushing the envelope, and you take us with you to learn with you, so you are still teaching, but we are all learning together. Keep it up. I don't know how to work with wood, but because of your videos, I have decided to give it a go, and try to make a wooden Cane for my Dad, and even used Fire(yeah) as a finish, and sanded it back. The carving sucks, but I carved with a chain saw, pocket knife, and sand paper(all I have with me) at least I gave it a go, and learned.
i don't think you need to stop pushing boundaries, you doing new stuff and bring excited is a part of your charm
I think you making bizarre and crazy creative new stuff is actually teaching more than seeing you make a 335 or anything, you teach the design part as well as the building part and it's awesome
you just need to learn some time management/decide you don't have time cap
keep the good job up dude
I think everything you're doing to give attention to makers and promote a community of builders pushing themselves is just AWESOME! I hope the BS around the competition hasn't discouraged you from continuing to evolve the GGBO and keep it going because it's done so much good already and the potential has yet to be tapped!
Honestly? I really like the red/black/silver look of the front and headstock. I said in the last video that it feels like a blues monster, and I still feel that way, but another genre it's absolutely perfect for (visually at least) is psychobilly and swamp rock. That wrought iron texture, with the aging of the black around/beneath the shine, really plays into a lot of the aesthetic that kind of music tends to evoke.
Which might be an idea for the back too? I don't think it's near as bad as most folks feel it is, but a black drybrush over the top of the silver to age it up to match the feeling of the front and headstock would probably make it a lot more cohesive.
I WISH I had the money to bid on this thing. Yeah, it got away from you and shows it... but the end result is still a beautiful, kickass guitar.
Noooo don't stop pushing yourself out of the boundaries, it is the whole point of "creativity" and the mistakes and decisions that come with it are part of the journey !
Plus your limitless creativity is exactly why you are not just an entertainment, but mainly an inspiration
Ben, you are far far to hard on yourself. It was an organic build, there will always be would'a-could'a-should'a... beautiful guitar, outstanding concept. Please, just stop beating yourself up and enjoy the moment!! Thanks for bringing us along.
Your Channel is one of the biggest reasons I build guitars. I love that you try new things even if they fail. I think the concept of the guitar is amazing. Keep kicking ass.
The most important thing about experimenting is tolerating failure; without failure, we learn nothing and experimentation is pointless. I deeply respect and always learn from your creativity - keep it up!
There is no substitute for quality, and that takes application: time, energy and creative thought. You are the master, Ben.
One of the many things I love about this channel - and you - is that you don't shy away from showing us mistakes. We all make them. How we fix/handle/incorporate and/or move on from them is how we either learn and grow as human beings or we regress. I'm also incredibly happy to see that every single time - including and especially this time - you're in the learn and grow category. Personally, I love everything about this guitar except the silver and I've said it before, but I will admit that the silver burst on the front has grown on me more with each video, despite my strong negative response to it initially (which I'm sure was fueled by my own expectations and biases.) I still don't like the back though... As always I look forward to whatever comes next.
Ben, keep being you. Your approach to guitar building and how you teach us as you process your ideas inspired me to start building my own guitars, like many others who watch you. Even the master learns from time to time. Grab more coffee and move on to your next awesome idea!
Hi Ben. I have followed you for a few years now and never left a comment before this. I enjoy your channel for 3 reasons: entertainment, instruction, and most importantly, the art of what you create. I don't want to watch a manufacturing process, I want to see inspired creation. The resulting unique product is not always what I like, which is expected as any item of art will never appeal to everyone. However, I enjoy and appreciate everything you build. I also respect how you handled yourself in this latest video. I look forward to your future content!
I watch your videos because of the way you experiment and 'go off piste'. That's the joy of watching a Ben build mate. Don't change ... ever!
Ben.
Considering you keep saying on your livestreams that you were so arrogant, this video proves otherwise. Your humbleness and willingness to admit mistakes is one of your greatest strengths as a teacher. What attracted me to your channel in the first place was the fact that you DO go off script; that you do say "I wonder...." and then try something new or different or outside the box. Please don't change that. Watching someone build something to plan is relaxing, but you don't learn how the creative process works! You're just watching a skilled maker make something. You take luthiery to another level because you're willing to take risks and follow trains of thought even when they derail. You and Tchik have convinced me to try woodworking and luthiery when I have never thought of myself as a manual artist because of how you approach the art of guitar building. Also remember that the reason you've been so successful both on YT and in your businesses is because you were willing to try different things, think outside the square and take chances. It makes you a better person, a better luthier, and a better businessman.
Wisdom is admitting your mistakes and learning from them. Creativity is making those mistakes in the first place. Congratulations on doing something nobody has thought of before and bringing the art of wood to a new level.
Sorry for the novel, but you're an inspiration to me and so many others, and WHO YOU ARE is a massive part of that. Thank you for being you.
Ben, I’ve loved diligently watching your videos for years and years now, and part of what’s drawn me to your channel is your penchant for pushing the boundaries of what’s “normal”for a guitar build. I can also say that as a performer I’ve learned that eliciting an emotional response (whether good or bad) means that you are doing your job as an artist. Don’t justify yourself, as an artist you don’t need to. Can you imagine someone asking Picasso to repaint a portrait so the subject looks “normal”!?! You’re doing great, stick to your guns, and keep being you! I like the guitar, I’d love to see a version done of this guitar with the original headstock adornment done with aluminum! Could be a cool idea to theme it as a sword with the headstock as the hilt, the fretboard done in aluminum as well, could even be aluminum skewers too! Keep doing what your doing!
Ben, you are an incredibly humble man. You have talent and vision and you made it happen. The finish, yeah the front is amazing and the headstock is awesome. I love the build and love how you’ve taken the time to explain what you can do different next. Never stop learning and never stop trying to push the envelope!
Ben, I'm very new to guitar building, in that the first body blank I've made is still sitting in my garage waiting to finish being shaped. Your channel is part of what's inspired me to start learning to build guitars. Part of why I'm sitting in my living room instead of my garage with a chisel in my hand is just what you talk about in this video: sometimes you lose the vision, however ambitious or simple, of what you want your art to look like. And when that happens, sometimes the best fix is to stop what you're doing until that vision gets a bit clearer. Thank you for this video, both for your honesty, and the reassurance that guitar builders of all skill levels can get a bit lost in what they want to make happen.
The big take out for me is massive reassurance that even someone who has been building instruments for years can fuck up. So, I don’t feel so bad that not everything I try works. More than that, you get something out of everything you try - even if it’s confirmation not to do it again. The design you came up with is interesting and has sparked many ideas on what variations can be rung on that theme. Thank you for the inspiration.
So true, 35+ years in and I still make some mistakes, it's inevitable especially when trying new approaches. The difference is I don't video every job, that is why I subscribe to Ben/Crimson and others. :)
I think the biggest positive is that when viewers dont like something we will tell you honestly and frankly so when we like something we genuinely mean it, it's not just polite compliments.
Never be sorry for the things that go wrong. Learn from it and take it with you to the next build. I liked this series very much, and it shows how things can take a different path. It was nice to see how you tried to resolve the issues.
I really hope you do another one of these, I really love the body design and the final headstock
As I sit here sanding the back of my first guitar kit to zero after screwing up the finish, I can’t tell you enough how reassuring it is to hear that I’m not alone. Your builds were what inspired me to get in there and try. Thank you.
i can highly recommend to people wipe on polyurethane, either make your own or buy some. you get a very nice finish, dries quicker and less sanding to smooth. if you dont want to use a rattle can as your scared, use wipe on poly
Ben I think you hit the nail on the head saying you tried too many new things in one build. For my 2 pennies worth, The shape and construction method are fantastic. When you made the mistake on the finish I would have stripped it back completely and done a natural finish. If you wanted to disguise the freckles you could have done a simplified vine inlay to link them all and tie in with the fretboard.
I don't think you made any mistakes Ben, the guitar is functional, looks amazing and is original. No need to justify your work or moves. I can only see one negative point, feedback, that's all that should dissapoint you. If you love the guitar no need to apologise. If someone doesn't like it, hard luck for them.
I'm sure a lot of us could see you covering one error with another as we watched. It's not just in guitar building that happens! But this is why I watch (and Tamar 3x3). Just keep being you - that, after all, is why this is a great channel.
It's a fascinating build... I LOATHED your initial headstock design, and frankly was glad it failed. HOWEVER, I actually loved the finished body shape and headstock. It's really is that rarest of guitars - it looks like a 50's guitar but modern, a lost Fender or Gibson concept. I would buy a thinline or solid body version of that in a heartbeat (especially if you'd break a habit and actually use p90s or single coils for a change!)
Ben, I appreciate and respect your decision to give your guitar and yourself a public autopsy. You are definitely teaching how to do things properly. Cheers!
Hi. I went to at college in the early 70s. I mainly did painting and printmaking. On a number of occasions, one of the tutors told me, 'BLOTT, your always buggering up your work. Know when to stop and think and then know when to stop'. I know what he meant. Honest appraisal is great. A second lesson I learnt was years later. I found a folder full of old watercolor painting I had done some years before and hated. When I took them each one out of the folder, I was amazed how good they were. Sometimes distance brings the focus the now does not give us. Be well. Take care and thank you.
"Zen and the Art of Guitar Building" Ben Crowe
Dear Ben. This chanel contains so much content, that has to do with experimenting and invention. Of course you are building still guitars, but not the normal ones. And that is why I am enjoying your videos. There are thousands of videos on YT in wich one can see how to bild a "normal" guitar and there is no need of more of them. What you are dealing with are ideas, that often are fresh and new and that is what I take from here to make my own stuff. You inspire me to have own ideas, more than other builders do. This guitar may not be liked by most of the viewers, and yes, I would have done some things in an other way, but it is creative, innovative, and at the end of the day it is a real cool guitar. I like it and I am glad for so many new ideas that you gave me with this. So, there is no need to appologise for anything. Mistakes are the things that bring us to future. ... Future, ...by the way, when will we se your build of a viola da gamba. ;) - Have a nice weekend ... and don't sand off the back!
Ben, I can imagine how upsetting reading all the negative comments you've been getting must be, especially as you admit to agreeing with a lot of them. It would be pretty crushing. So I just wanted to chime in with the things I really like about this guitar. I really love how the headstock turned out, the curves and the carve are beautiful. I love the struts between back and top, and the bend you put into the top is so cool. The shape of the guitar body is great. Even though it's not the sort of shape I usually like, I think it really works here.
It's just the finish that's bollixed it up, and even then, the way the binding pops is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to the Mk 2 version!
Playing with limits, pushing through the fear of failure, hearing the inspiration and reasoning behind choices, and the repercussions, is what makes these builds valuable to anyone who wants to learn about creating.
Your biggest mistake was not pushing yourself, it was trying to build something different rather than something good. The best guitar I've seen made in this competition was one of the most traditional guitars you could make, but the level of quality, attention to detail, design, and the sheer beauty of the construction is what makes it great, and in my opinion, a competition winner. There's nothing "different" about it, as an instrument, but it's just really, really good.
Apart from the back, I think it looks stunning. With sort of the same burst on the back it would be a homerun. I really enjoyed the series and I look forward to the next. As a home bilder with limited access to equipment I really appreciate your decision to limit your use of power tools.
Don't change, Ben. Showing that a Master luthier can make mistakes and show how you solve the issues is admirable and very big of you.
I still love everything about the build, Ben.If only I had the resources, I'd buy that guitar immediately! Kudos to you and the rest of Crimson Guitars!
As I watched you I thought " I have commented in the past about how your work exposes your thought processes". I feel that I must say more. Each step of a build opens up more options, So look at those options and go with the feelings that are evoked (usually excitement). The excitement means that you look at the end stage. Sometimes the end stage needs more thought about the barriers that are there.
Excitement and then dealing with disappointment has taught me a lot.
When I visited an exhibition of pre-Raphaelite painters. Each finished painting had an astonishing amount of work (sketches, uses of different colours, different poses and on and on) GGBO is a preparatory work. Would I love to own pre-Raphaelite prep work? Too right. Would I love to own GGBO build as is? Absolutely. It is a build full of your soul and emotion.
In conclusion: Learned loads; love to hear about improvements; adore the heart that you put into your work; perhaps time to change; perhaps time to appreciate your effect.
We learn from our mistakes and with that we all learn as much from yours, if not more because we see your experience and expertise at work to remedy it. Keep doing out-there designs, the boundaries are there to be pushed.
This guitar is obviously different to most other guitars in many, many ways. That's a great, inspiring thing. I absolutely love the mindset of trying something new, figuring out if it works, even though you're not sure. That's adding so many "jokers to your deck" of guitar building, and you share it with us so we can take your ideas and bring them to the next level. Of course some of these ideas are problematic, that's the point imho. The result is polarising, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. It isn't my favourite guitar in the ggbo, but who cares? The value lies in pushing the boundaries and just trying stuff. I genuinely love this guitar for that.
Ben the whole guitar looks absolutely fabulous. The back is fine as is . Unique and cutting edge is an understatement. The headstock is a thing of beauty and the textures are amazing. Your creativity and recovery from , as Bob Ross always said, happy little accidents , is the reason I love your videos of your builds. Good to see Crimson becoming more normal as far as students returning but I love the home studio and the work you do there.
Bottom line, GREAT BUILD AS IS .
I’ve been watching your videos for the better part of two years and in that time you have, for the lack of a better word, wowed me in your guitar work. I think that in any type art there in a fine line between perfection and cluttered. Some times what sounds like a great idea ends up not what was intended. Please don’t let this small set back stop your drive to break the boundaries of guitar building.
the shape of the body and headstock is awesome. really is just the finish that holds this build back from perfection
As a woodworker and fellow guitar maker, there were so many times during this build that I was like “NOOOOO, don’t do it!” But, I do appreciate you pushing the boundaries and having no fear.
Some of the most interesting and entertaining parts of your builds to me are seeing how you pivot and reach your “happy accident” results. Do not apologize for being true to your process.
Love the honesty. It shows your integrity and candor.
Personally, I adore the shape, headstock, binding and the textured finish.
I would love all of that incorporated into a solid body version.
I love everything about this video, and I hope that I can be even a quarter as gracious and self-reflective in facing my own mistakes. Ben you are a true gentleman and an example to the rest of us, particularly in the face of those pieces of feedback that were delivered in, shall we say, a less than constructive manner.
Despite being one of those who couldn’t get behind the last parts of the finish, I’ve never been more on-board with and confident in my continued appreciation and fandom of Ben and his work, both the traditional and the pushed boundaries.
P.S. Although I would never dream of suggesting abandoning your exploration of the wilder types of guitar building (and would indeed be terribly disappointed if you ever did), a series of “Ben builds the Classics” would be amazing to watch. Seeing that master-builder level of attention to detail applied to the traditional guitar designs would be a great resource and benchmark to measure ourselves against.
A year on, and i just stumbled across this video again. I loved the design of this guitar so much that I bought the bloody thing! Just to update you, the guitar is still super stable, and gets played regularly (it's still the main guitar I pick up) I also don't believe in being super precious with my guitars so it's been gigged and had a few knocks. The finish it holding up well, bar a chunk scratched on the front in the melomine, which I swore about at the time, but that's all part of the story.
Ben offered to refinish the guitar for me, which I chose not do, again, it's all part of the story!
It's an impressive feat of construction no matter what anyone says about the color or finishes. Even the finishes were an educational experiment and interesting on their own. Well done. I hope you don't let stupid comments stifle any of your creativity.
We all make mistakes but admitting a mistake's been made, correcting it and learning from it is how we progress.
I like the guitar- front and back both look good, but may work better on separate instruments.
It's the weird developments that occur in your builds that keep me riveted to this channel, seeing how a slight change leads to something very special. A case in point is The Complication, which I've just been watching again as it's my favourite of all the Crimson builds. The way it evolved was something really special and it's the little (and sometimes not so little) innovations that make your guitars unique.
Ben, what can I say, bloody inspirational my friend! The build was a total rollercoaster! You had me shifting from "What the hell is he doing" to "OMG I love that thing" and back.
You've got to push boundaries, otherwise you don't learn, and I have huge respect for you baring all, and showing your mistakes.
This video is just great, to hear the thought process, it's like watching an M Night Shyalaman film and then going back and watching it with the directors commentary to make it all make sense.
I think the headstock is one of the best looking headstocks I have ever seen, I'm really pleased that the original idea didn't work out, as otherwise you'd not have done what you later did.
The finish of the final thing really isn't for me, but I can see that it would look amazing re-done.
Keep on pushing, you're the one luthier that properly inspires me, I'm working my way slowly through my first ever build, and it is from scratch, thanks to you and your openness and sharing of your art.
Rock on my friend, and nice to see the Fastrider making another appearance ;)
I do enjoy that you go with what is in you mind as you progress on the build. That's how you came up with that headstock. Cool things happen.
This was a great epilogue Ben!
Hindsight is 20/20, but if you were to do a version 2 of this guitar I'd suggest:
Keep the body shape and the "hip" cutouts with the binding. That look is fantastic, and has a nice female form vibe to it.
Keep the neck inlay. It goes great with the body shape. FIll the stalk and leaves with the same material. The two tone inlay detracts from the simple beauty of the inlay design.
Do a similar slope and binding effect on the headstock that you did on the body to tie the two together. Neither the binding loop approach nor the current headstock design match the body well, IMHO.
Only use vertical bamboo skewers to tie the front and back together. The diagonal skewers detract from the simple, feminine lines.
Embrace the skewer "freckles". Instead of covering the dots, use them for the sunburst effect by creating a halftone effect, adding similar diameter painted or stained dots around the edge that fade in density as you move toward the center. You could use a piece of the skewer to apply the "fake" dots, so they would be the same size as the real ones.
Stain the interior of the veneers before attaching them :-)
Integrate a Faraday cage around the controls between the veneers.
Avoid all the textures and silver effects. They have a distressed or technical look that doesn't fit well with the body design or inlay.
Build a left-handed version for me :-)
Good luck with the GGBO this year, Ben! There are so many great entries this year. It was very smart of you to outsource the judging :-)
I have only just watched this vid (June 2022) after having meeting Ben at the Birmingham guitar show!
I wish I had watched this before meeting you Ben, as I think the shape and contours of this guitar body and headstock should be one of your solid body or semi hollow body production guitars. The shape has some of the nicest and tasteful curves I have seen on a guitar. It looks so organic and in the vintage burst I would seriously, seriously consider purchasing one.
I love the shape and front of the headstock but not the finish on the back. Love the finish on the back of the neck. I didn’t like the skewers only because of the random angles - set straight and regularly would have, in my opinion, looked better. The texture on the front is okay and I quite like it with the red (makes it look like it’s been distressed and in some sort of industrial accident) and if the back had matched it would have looked great. Hope you’ll do a prologue showing how you change it for the final owner.
I've been a subscriber to Crimson for a while (first video was the end of the Complicated Build, I think, first full build series was the epoxy river guitar) and I have to say this. Ben is an absolutely epic craftsman, and that raw artistic talent is blatantly obvious and amazing to watch. The simple fact that Crimson has over 250 thousand subscribers is a testament to how ingenious Ben's guitars are.
I'll prefix what I'm about to say with the fact that my favourite build was the 2020 build. I loved the padauk colouring, I love the angles and the Explorer-esque shapes, I loved the semi-acoustic, open design, and I loved the natural finish.
Personally, I feel that these builds have almost gone too far into "let's push the limits of what is possible and build the most outlandish, the most artistic, the most out-there guitar imaginable". The Cyberpunk build, for example - a guitar that is quite literally held together with bolts. The GBBO 2020 submission - shielding paint, Dremel-induced texture and half the material missing. Yes, they are the very definition of "custom", but they're so experimental that it sometimes detracts from the end result. There are also some elements to the builds which could be covered in their own mini-series and then referred to - fret-work for example - and that would help the series flow a little better.
Before anyone starts with the "well experimenting on-camera is cool" angle - I absolutely 100% agree. The bridge for Shred is inspired, and I can't wait to see future iterations of it - stuff like this is why I love Crimson and why I love Ben as a luthier, engineer and craftsman. Sometimes it doesn't go according to plan, and those moments are just as valuable.
What I think would help is doing less builds - as much as I love Shred and Nebula being done in parallel, there's too little room for overflow or delays - which when you're an awesome creative mind, having to context-switch might be more pain than it's worth.