Life size Rockin' Beats Guitar (and Sweet Notes Cosplay!) PIC HEAVY

[Prideth]

I wanted to brag on all the work that went into making this sweet guitar prop for my Sweet Notes cosplay for this year's 2015 My Little Pony Fair!

First, I used the original as reference!  One notes the neck is stubby and short.  Originally, I planned to make a prop brush (tines and everything!), but decided since I was going as more of a "humanized" pony, a "real" looking guitar seemed more appropriate.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


I took to sketching out the shape on poster board and made my pattern.  Looks right!  I elongated the neck to make it look more appropriately sized for a human.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


I glued together two boards of pine (so heavy, and yet so cheap!) and cut my shape using a jigsaw and bandsaw and routed the edges for a smooth look.  The head peice was cute seperately so it could be mounted at an angle (for that  authentic guitar look)
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


Assembled!  I cut the fretboard of a much thinner piece of scrap wood to be mounted to the front.  I cut the MLP letters and the squiggly bridge section using a scroll saw and mounted to the front after drilling guitar string holes through the top and bottom.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


The best part: Painting!  I made my own mix of acrylic paint, which was surprisingly difficult to match up to the neon orange color of the pony brush.  The secret ingredient was lots of neon yellow to tone down and brighten my orange.  The original brush is on top for reference.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


Finer detail; I chose to paint on the details instead of cut individual pieces, as it became apparent that would be such an epically frustrating process.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


The fret board was painted pale gold.  The frets are square dowels with a thin sheet of brass glued to the top.  Not exactly what I wanted, but I was crunched for time (start your cosplay projects early, kids).
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


I bought some cheap guitar parts from eBay (Thanks, China!) and mounted them to the guitar.  I also purchased real guitar strings for around $5, which ended up being cheaper than using beading wire (my first alternative).
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

visitors can't see pics , please register or login


I  couldn't help myself and applied a shimmery glitter spray to the top before applying a high gloss coat.  And here she is, all finished!  I even managed to find some gold cord to use as the strap. 
visitors can't see pics , please register or login



The prop really brought my cosplay together. 
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

visitors can't see pics , please register or login


ENHANCE!
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

visitors can't see pics , please register or login


As a costume tidbit, I dyed a white denim jacket and skinny jeans to the (almost) appropriate shade of pink and embroidered the back of the jacket with my Brother SE-500 (wonderful machine!).  I added some cute neon blue and yellow buttons to the front to make it more 80's.  The wig is hand sewn together from three separate wigs to really give it that 80's POW and all the other accessories were lucky finds.  How crazy are those shoes?  I'm just glad I didn't go face first into the floor.

I hope I made Sweet Notes proud!  I sure had a lot of fun making the whole getup and being a part of the Rockin' Beats cosplay group!
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[Cron Sacchariferous]

Dude, this is freakin' awesome!

[wlyteth]

That is so amazing! I wish I could have seen it in person. 

[brittney_rochelle]

Amazing!

[Juliepants]

Brilliant!

Jules x

[Akemi-chan]

That guitar is sick!  The whole outfit is beyond amazing!  And you put it together all on your own?!  Wish I could've seen it!  Great job!

[slyons]

Dude, this is freakin' awesome!

My thoughts exactly!!! 

[Tulips]

Amazing!

[CoonhoundBetty]

Wow! You did an awesome job bringing Sweet Notes to life!

[Prideth]

Thanks everyone!    I had such a blast and I learned so many new skills!  My hobby is "hobbies"  - I love to learn to do everything.  It's so rewarding to craft something yourself.  I really believe anyone can learn to do anything with enough time and patience. 

And money.  Money helps too.   

[ponyqueen]

AAAAaaaaaaaa! This is so cool! You are my hero today!

[Icey]

This is full of win! I love it

[CapnChan]

Oh I'd definitely say you made us proud and maybe set the bar a few...km higher I just loved your cosplay and lookit all that awesome know how and carpentry skill! Btw I have those exact shoes but pink, so I knew your pain

[Lore-Lei]

This is mind-blowingly amazing. I can only imagine all the effort you put into it. I love it! <3

[Skelletonimp]

Wow amazing! That's so awesome!!!