Gregory Musgrove: An Interview With A Custom Guitar Maker

We met Gregory Musgrove at a food truck festival and were instantly enamored with his guitars, so we had to find out more about them.

When and why did you start creating custom guitars?
My background is in electronics. I have repaired my own instruments for many years but only started building a complete guitar in 2015. I inherited a 1945 bandsaw and after some repairs and new blades I started making my own necks. I learned how to fret and wire the guitars and despite the challenges, it has been rewarding.

What was the first one you ever made?
I inherited a set of books called the Foxfire series and one of the projects was a banjo. The first guitar I made was a six-string bango. I used a 10" drum tom tom, cut it down to 3" thick and attached a neck. Used deer hide and tied up like an Native American hand drum.

We noticed some of your guitars only have three strings. Why is that?
When building the six-string banjo I researched the use of banjos at the turn of the 1900s. While doing that search, I discovered how the cigar box guitars were made during the time just after the Civil War. Three strings can produce the basic notes to complete a cord. Many would not have frets. So a musician would use a glass bottle to change notes.

What's your best seller?
The three-string guitars are selling very well. Not all my three strings incorporate a cigar box. I have used hub caps, lunch boxes, license plates, tin boxes, game systems, film canisters, gas cans, even toys. It is hard to say which type sells the best. I would have to say the license plate guitars.

Of all the ones you've created, tell us about your favorite.
I have really liked making a steampunk version. It was one of my most creative ones.

If you could make a dream guitar out of anything, what would it be and why?
Dream guitar is a hard one. I have many nice guitars and every one has its own voice. I would like to try working with Koa wood some day.