Because I was trying to track down the original source of the top image and because I obviously can’t leave well enough alone, here are 16 skateboard guitars.
I’ll start with the best one. Near as I can tell, these came from Life would be boring without skateboarding. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like they might be multiple boards laminated together, I’m not sure. Either way, this is by far the most elegant version of a skateboard guitar that I’ve ever seen.
UPDATE: I added a video thanks to Seth Levy, which shows that the necks are also made out of laminated skateboards, making these the hands-down winner.
I should have started with the first one. This is the first skateboard guitar that I’ve ever seen, and I’m betting it was The first one anywhere. This is the cover of the Surf Punks 1980 album My Beach. The Surf Punks allegedly got together in 1976, and released their first record in 1979, (pretty much an independent label release of My beach, minus a couple tracks) so I doubt that thing was brand new when they photographed it.
In Fact, here’s another Surf Punks guitar skateboard, or I guess skateboard guitar in this case. It’s from around the same time period, and possibly the same one seen in this museum exhibit – Notes from Santa Cruz – The County’s Musical History and Compositions: Contemporary Artists.
2024 UPDATE: Check out this 1979 advert from Hobie, featuring a guitar you have to assume was somehow influenced by the Surf Punks.
2022 UPDATE: Archie rides a guitar skateboard in a January 1979 issue of Reggie’s Wise Guy Jokes!
Next up is an unusual creation by Tyms Guitars, who really took it to the extreme. The bridge is made from a skateboard truck and the knobs are skateboard wheel. It makes a strong first impression but it starts to look Frankenstein-ish the more you look at it.
Here’s an acoustic guitar skateboard built by Jon Bennallick.
Scott’s Guitar Blog has some shots of this lap steel skateboard guitar that incorporates the case into the design. Built by… Scott.
Here’s another one sort of in the vein of Tyms. It’s from Jesse Holland. It’s an electric guitar, and the output jack is in the back.
Here’s a bass guitar from Mammoth Guitars that I actually found on Zank.
This Sex Pistols deck graphic board looks pretty good, but how are you supposed to play it? As seen on reddit.
Another approach made by someone named Kylesas.
Cole Clark Guitars actually made a couple skateboard lap steel guitars, including one made for Ben Harper.
An instructables electric guitar that even has a pick guard covered with grip tape, as seen on Craziest Gadgets.
Very similar to a couple of the other ones, but different enough to show. You can watch this guy play it here, as seen on 1-800-RECYCLING.
Keith Irish of the band Punk as a Doornail, as seen on Odd Music.
Then there’s this guitar, which doesn’t appear anywhere credited. I found it on the Almanaki.
Lastly, the Fro gets points for being the only guy to mount trucks to the neck of the guitar, but then loses points because he used plastic trucks and wheels from a toy Spiderman skateboard. He also made a version with a castor wheel on the neck.
13 comments
David Lions
progress in my lap guitar skateboard Stratolapster. waiting on the volume control & jack to come in. LINK
bassman
hay bud dig the style!…what are they selling for!!in interested in one!!please contact me..my e.mail is bassmanjohnspringer@yahoo.com. thank you!
kilwag
Yeah, I’d like to see a bass version, one made out of a little bit wider deck.
skate guitar
Thanks for the first place!!!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/sktgtr
brock75
I have a guitar skateboard made from a Gibson. I like to do rock n rolls on it.
Ronnie
Dennis Dragon and his brother Daryl Dragon(“Captain” of Captain and Tennile fame)also did soundtrack work for Hal Jepsen(including “Skateboard Madness”).
docskaterock
Dennis also co-wrote/performed the title song for the Spinnin
charles
Also worth mentioning that Dennis Dragon from Surf Punks did a lot of the original music for the Bones Brigade videos.
Si
Thank you for linking to our site. Can you please change the link to read “1-800-RECYCLING?”
kilwag
done
docskaterock
That
Seth
This what you’re looking for?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDD0zesXWG8
kilwag
Yes. Added it the main body, thanks.