Schroeder Guitars completed their WWII GI Guitar, a custom guitar that showcases World War II era components.
This guitar is designed to be a believable remnant from World War II, it was built using authentic parts found around that time.
The theme revolves around the time when musical instrument and electronics manufacturing were halted during WWII. This is the time when the government mobilized these manufacturers to instead produce goods to help with the war effort.
The war effectively put on hold the development of the electric guitar, and it was not until years after WWII was over, in mid-1945, that the guitar industry was able to get back in production.
Anyone who wanted to build instruments during the war faced severe shortages of raw materials due to curtailment by the US government. The GI Guitar was built with these limitations in mind, with the luthier playing the part of a service man who wanted to build an electric guitar using the limited resources that were available during war time.
What resulted is an interesting guitar built from various materials taken from day to day furniture and military equipment. The “GI Guitar” incorporated many military related materials in very unexpected ways. Examples include, among other things:
- A canvas covered top taken from a genuine WWII tent
- A riveted aluminum pickguard that resembles WWII airplane construction
- Vintage military radio knobs
- An actual Winchester rifle bolt used as a 3 way switch tip
- A neck made from a figured walnut gunstock blank
- Custom aluminum backplates that emulate diamond checkered gun parts
- A stenciled wooden case that resembles a WWII ammo crate
The Schroeder WWII “GI Guitar” showcases the creativity and fresh perspective that Schroeder brings into their high-end custom guitars. Whether it is a T-style throwback or a quilted maple carvetop, each custom guitar they make features the same dedication to detail, quality and originality. Jason Z. Schroeder has been building guitars for the last 25 years and according to his words: he is “committed to building “WOW!” guitars from the finest materials available.
Shroeder even created a Mini-movie to explain the backstory and construction of the GI Guitar:
You can find out more about the GI Guitar by visiting Schroeder Guitars.
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Wow. What an incredible attention to detail. This is the most inspired guitar build I have seen in years!! Regardless of it being “period specific,” the thought experiment that Schroeder had here was clearly well thought out and the result is nothing short of incredible. Kudos to the builder!! I hope to see more from him!
A great novel fun thing to build, sounds good too. A pity they never stuck to period specific ‘everything’ that would have made the guitar something really special. 4-1/2 stars. Cheeeerz-Rex