Building and HYDRO-DIPPING a Custom PIA x JEM Guitar

In this pre-building-reno episode I show how to build and hydrodip a custom DIY guitar body, which is a hybrid of the Ibanez JEM and the new Ibanez PIA - a mashup of Steve Vai’s past and present guitars. The process of hydro-dipping a guitar is also known as a swirl dip, swirl paint, or swirling, and I did my best to replicate the swirl color scheme from the cover guitar on Steve Vai’s Passion and Warfare album. This custom guitar body has the flower petal cutout and magnetic back plates from the PIA, and a swirl paint job similar to the JEM. I also added my own custom touch by 3D printing pickup covers.
I used a combination of a CNC and basic woodworking skills to build the guitar body. I started by using the X-Carve CNC to cut the shape of the guitar body into a guitar blank. I then used a jigsaw to trim the excess, and flushed up the sides with my router. I also used hand tools to carve the signature lion’s claw tremolo cutout. For the hydro-dip, I used Magic Marble paints in light green, black, rose, neon pink, and citron yellow. For the clear coat, I used Spraymax 2k glamour gloss to give the guitar a glossy finish.
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// INVENTABLES CNC \\
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o Inventables X-Carve CNC: bit.ly/2J9u1df
// PARTS & PRODUCTS FOR GUITAR BUILD \\
o Magic Marble paints: bit.ly/2PgShiv
o Spraymax 2k Gloss Clear Coat: amzn.to/2W8OaX9
o Rustoleum Spray Paint + Primer: amzn.to/2PfVDC9
// GUITAR BUILD RESOURCES \\
o How to Clear Coat a Guitar: • How to get a professio...
o Swirl Dipping Master (Eye Candy!): bit.ly/2MJcGe7
// TOOLS \\
o Router #1 (Metabo HPT / Hikoki 2.25hp): amzn.to/36czcUG
o Router #2 (Metabo HPT / Hikoki 3.25hp): amzn.to/32LZ0Vp
o Drill & Impact Driver Kit: amzn.to/2NcYXv5
o SawStop Table Saw: amzn.to/2YBfNrH
o Rockler Router Table Links:
- Cast Iron Top: bit.ly/31OkcsN
- Pro Fence: amzn.to/2JmOP22
- Router Table Base: amzn.to/31Kudaj
- Pro Lift Router Table Insert: amzn.to/363vrRi
o Router Bit - the ULTIMATE Template / Flush Trim combo for Guitar Building: amzn.to/2Wb5LgS
#guitar
#guitarbuild
#hydrodip
#swirldip

[@nelldn]

I feel łike an impatient child waiting for the next episode of the warehouse build 😭

[@modustrial]

Lol, me too....clearing out my backlog and then everything will be about the reno for the foreseeable future

[@PeaceTrainUSA-1000]

@@modustrial I'm mad that YT algo didn't wait until 2022 or so to tell me about your reno project so I could binge.

[@henokhjosandraehesperus7369]

@@PeaceTrainUSA-1000 Sorry for your inconvenience🙏🙏🙏

[@MrUrag]

I WILL PROVIDE SPECIAL FOOD TO ANYONE WHO, LIKE AND COMMENTS WITH ME. SEE YOU IN MY HOUSE.

[@hehay10]

@@modustrial where is the cutzall link?

[@desperadooshm6961]

I'm not even mad about this not being a reno episode. That guitar looks awesome

[@modustrial]

Thanks for giving it a shot! 😁 Next reno vid will be out next week too 😉

[@bryceburnet5660]

@@modustrial Reno like Nevada?

[@jugglemyducks..8818]

@@bryceburnet5660 lmao no, at first I was thinking they meant Reno as in Nevada, but they mean Reno as in "Renovation"

[@wweman1345]

@@modustrial still waiting lol sorry very impatient

[@jonilsonbibi6501]

What ink is used in The water?

[@LumunGames]

I like how you’re including your friends in your KZbin community. 🙌🏻

[@modustrial]

Thanks! I think my friends rock! But of course, I'm biased 😜

[@AB-bc9tf]

My cousin would have loved this. He loved Steve Via and playing guitar. He passed away in November. Now I’m thinking of listening to Passion and Warfare but I think I better wait since I got homework and might get in my feelings remembering my cousin.

[@maurocont]

Dude, you are some kind of hero to me. Being able to build a guitar like this and all of the stuff you create...simply great.

[@KomarProject]

It’s such a cool piece! Loved seeing it

[@modustrial]

Thanks brother!

[@TarynnElizabeth619]

@@modustrial It came out, so pretty! I’m thinking about doing that on my next project which is a Jem 7v. Here is the link to my custom PIA, like you, I could not afford to spend the money on real thing, so I built one myself. I have a friend in Japan that sent me the neck and a friend in Belarus that made the body for me. My friend here local made me the back plate and his metal shop. I did all the painting, and I made the Pick Guard, myself. I did all of the installation of all the components as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d564g3uliquYaq8

[@tokk3n-hj4xg]

Wow! You picked the perfect colors.

[@GreyElement]

Hey Mike, a perfect job you did there. Respect! Hydro dipping is a process I need to test. Best regards Frank.

[@modustrial]

Thanks Frank! Would love to see you try it.... You've got easier access to magic marble over there too

[@Thumper1968]

Man, I love Steve Vai, and that is a fantastic tribute to Passion and Warfare. Well done!

[@jairotena8281]

Looks awesome! Been wanting to make hardtail version of a JEM and this is getting me excited! Here's my tip: when I CNC guitars I use the CNC to make two holes on the wood blank first that serve as reference points, so you can mirror the profile and route the back out without any issue

[@modustrial]

Thanks Jairo! And good tip for the registration points!

[@RamZMusic]

I am a luthier in Indiana have been building for years. Thank you for pointing out that using a CNC is not easier but different. I use a combination of both and the hardest thing I faced when I first got a CNC was not just pulling it off the table and doing it by hand if the programming wasn't perfect.

[@modustrial]

Yup! Eventually I'd like to 3D carve a guitar entirely on the CNC, but that will take some more learning and practice on my part 😁

[@JS-rp7qb]

Depending on your CAD/CAM software a two-sided operation is pretty easy. Looked like you already had dowel holes drilled. When I did one I threw about five dowel holes on one side and doweled straight into the spoilboard. Used an excess of holes in case some of the dowels lined up with the t-nuts I used. Worked great.

[@tinkersmith]

Wow great timing! Just finished watching another video, and wondering what to watch next, when DING new video from you!

[@modustrial]

😁 do my best!

[@EthanCarterDesigns]

That might be the most epic intro ever! I love these hyrdo dipped guitar videos! I still need to refine hydro dipping leather! Great build and video as always Mike!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Ethan! Leather hydro dip would be super cool!

[@RedzmaSabri]

That is awesome man! You are so talented for making Steve's guitar replica.

[@thorndog100]

You are a very clever and patient man and I totally respect what you do with guitars. It is an amazing process to witness. Brilliant..

[@rotarycartel1940]

time for another Ibanez Jem build🙏🏻

[@justinwoods240]

This whole time I didn’t know this was your video until I looked at who uploaded it I thought it was a random video on the recommended part of KZbin and I never pressed on it I’m 15 NOW YEAH it was the 23rd of May

[@lanehillard1596]

OH MAN! Steve Vai is one of my favorite guitarists. Was not expecting to see a Jem build when I discovered this channel. You my friend, have a new subscriber! Hell Yea!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Lane! Sounds like we've got multiple common interests!

[@nathanmciver6496]

That was awesome! Neat how the sound did not get muffled at all! 3d printing must be fun!!!!

[@TheShaneGuy]

Massive respect for building this from scratch!. Great guitar and great video :)

[@marramusic]

Well done on the swirl and build! Quite enjoyed this video.

[@TWDub]

This was awesome! I'm waiting on my PIA guitar right now in Stallion White. Call me old fashioned on the color choice. Lol. But seeing a swirl version is pretty friggin' cool! Nice work!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Trevor!

[@jorgemlcosta]

Newcomer here, fantastic work, my hands prefer to play rather than build guitars, but this was quite amazing and entertaining, I can’t imagine the hundreds of work hours involved in the whole process, congratulations! Steve would be impressed I am sure.

[@darrenb5485]

Guys got skillz and the right tools. Should design your own guitars👍🏻🤘🏻

[@modustrial]

Thanks! I probably will at some point ;)

[@fynbo1007]

Very cool guitar design, just love it. Thank you for sharing your amazing design. Be careful and safe. God bless you and your family.

[@modustrial]

Thanks Carsten! Same to you!

[@fynbo1007]

Modustrial Maker, thanks

[@sindre4588]

When is the next house vid coming out?

[@modustrial]

Next week! 😁

[@sampowers6551]

@@modustrial cant wait!!!!

[@johnsimms3957]

I like swirl paint jobs better than those graphic ones from the 80s.

[@Lucy-R2R_Happiness]

Love these guitar builds! SUPER EXCITED FOR THE WAREHOUSE! ⚡

[@modustrial]

Thank you! Me too! Glad I've got a few folks that dig both kinds of videos 😁

[@JUNKO____]

That idea using the bottles as testers for the primer is golden.

[@modustrial]

Thanks much!

[@bungieborris9111]

Steve Vai would be proud

[@vixapphire]

You're both a madman AND a hero!

[@Q5Grafx]

I am making the ibanez jem woody from a piece of african mahogany with a few modifications. the pickguard is brass @ .023 with a layer of mahogany @.0625 and a layer of mappa burl at .023 on top. the read cavities are .023 steel , .023 brass and .023 mappa burl and held in magnetically. i got the edge zero 2 with an FU Tone brass block and FU Tone noiseless springs. the electronics are a CTS 500k for volume and a push/pull cts 500k for tone with an ibanez 3SWLSP5 5-way switch and a 2 way switch for 7 way tone control with all rosewood knobs and switch tips. im using the dimarzio dark matter pickups in HSH configuration. I have the ibanez flip open truss rod cover and gotoh 510 non locking tuners. Neck is maple with a mahogany veneer to match the body with my Q5 Graphics logo inlayed into it. the inside of the trem cover will be a list of all parts with part numbers lasered onto the brass and the pickguard will have various prayers pertaining to music lasered into it. the strap buttons will be D'Addario strap locks. the trem claw is a heavy duty brass model and of course the output jack is angled up 45 degrees at the rear side of the guitar making it easier to put the cord through the strap. this is my first from scratch guitar. i made a partscaster 40 years ago which i had until 2013 when i sold it to a guy wanting the ESP mark1 neck it had.

[@joshuac6657]

5:35 - I didn't see any workholding jigs other than bolting the body blank to the waste board. If you've got a consistent corner point on the body blank (0,0,0/zero datum point etc) that lines up with a workholding jig (a 3D printed corner bracket with the 0,0 on the apex of the inner corner bolted to the wasteboard) could work a treat. It's usually referred to as 2.5D machining (between 2D and 3D by means of cheating as I'm sure you would have easily guessed). Hope these help in some way! Amazing video and please keep them up, I've been watching the renovation series keenly. Keep 'em coming! :)

[@modustrial]

Good tips Josh! The zero reference point makes sense. 👍👍

[@oharakatie14]

I've never seen a guitar with the hand holder type cut out. Super cool!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Katie!

[@tilaup]

Good job. I love it. Have a 1527 thats waiting to be swirled. Inspiring...

[@Sensei_Jaq]

this was an awesome build! Now i need to go back and watch the first one you did!

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@pauljoseph8338]

Shout out to the tennis elbow strap. Been dealing with my tendinitis for 5 years now. Love the vids.

[@modustrial]

Have you tried the Thera-Band flexbar? Another commenter recommended it to me, and it has been helping quite a bit

[@user-pp7bv9ec5w]

ALL BY HAND = RESPECT!!

[@snorg7139]

While I’m impatient for the renovation vids I can’t just ignore everything else. The man built a whole guitar like, that’s still awesome

[@MegaHellstrike]

Patent lawyer turned abandoned warehouse Rockstar. This is the glowup some of us can only wish in our 30s haha

[@modustrial]

Lol, thanks much 😁😎

[@Alex-xh1zi]

The bigger tub was the way too go. The underwater shot looked awesome and the end result was definitely an improvement.

[@modustrial]

Thanks Alex!

[@OdinHammersmith]

Beautiful job. You’re an skilled craftsmen.👍🍻🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@jonathandowney7000]

You are an amazing luthier u have the talent for sure an amazing artist with this You did an amzing job on the Pia/Jem and the RG neck made it a gorgeous guitar in my opinion I prefer a maple fretboard myself i would take it and print some pyramid inlays and put them in the neck if its possible to do

[@doubledarefan]

0:19 When you said abandoned, I thought you were going to say mansion. Thank you Matt Carriker!

[@modustrial]

🤣🤣

[@andresfelipecarvajalleonel5928]

🤟🏼that guitar is from another dimension🤟🏼

[@modustrial]

👽🛸🎸

[@allanhindmarch7323]

Looks awesome dude. Great job! Loved the old school carpentry skills 👍

[@victororo462]

I like it! I didn't know that you could use ordinary clear coat to make it pop like that. Pretty damn nifty!

[@brianewhiteguy]

That GoPro shot in the dipping tank was pretty cool. Nice work on the project - keep up the good work!!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Brian!

[@nicz051]

i was excited to get a notification from u! and i found out its not a reno episode i was kinda hesitant to watch it. but im glad i did! its very interesting to watch u do all this complicated things and the satisfaction i got when its all done.

[@modustrial]

Thanks Nicole! Glad you gave this one a chance! Next reno vid will be out next week 😀

[@louiszollo8439]

Great video! Any problems with the water raising the wood grain and getting a smooth finish?

[@original_sin]

Dennis Quaid making guitars!🤟

[@devanggiri8482]

Amazing guitar! You made it much much better! One day I will make my custom hydro dipped guitar from you.......

[@Allgamersadvice]

you sir have leveled up! been here a long time, love your vids keep up the good work

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏

[@ivangrifi]

awesome, I love your channel. You are one of the makers that does the most beautiful stuff

[@modustrial]

thanks Ivan! Very kind words!

[@jesseferguson880]

Seriously cool, love the colour combo

[@modustrial]

Thanks Jesse!

[@salma_Nella22]

You are wicked talented and handy. I respect the hell out of you.

[@nxvasix8696]

You could take the black parts of the pickup off the pickup and hydrodip them neon green.

[@necrojoe]

In case it needed to be said, Pia is Steve's wife of over 30 years. :)

[@TheShittyBeatles]

Need a way to get notified on a per-playlist basis damn I want to see that warehouse

[@modustrial]

Lol, they do need that. I think this one is fun too tho 😉 next building vid will be out next week

[@deborahnorthover5304]

Clever man, and great sounding music Trey Lyons. Take care and stay safe.

[@smeagol37]

Great work man! I love Jems and drive a GTI too. We are brothers in mind!

[@waterguard1159]

Hey, great work on the guitar, curious what song you used in the video at around 13:10. Thanks for the great vids as always.

[@modustrial]

Thanks! it's Breaktime by Future Joust

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, dude! Awesome guitar! 😃 Stay safe there! 🖖😊

[@modustrial]

Thanks much! Same to you!

[@ChrisPage68]

Mike - I hope Steve sees this. It is 🔥! One day, I would love to see you collaborate with Crimson Custom Guitars here in the UK. Ben (he of the tattooed head) is an evil genius of Luthiery!

[@modustrial]

Thanks much! That would be cool! I've chatted with Ben briefly online.... So perhaps that could happen down the road 😀

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Cool finishing process, always unique. Guitar is beautiful. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@modustrial]

Thank you!! 😁

[@cameronfasola8193]

This is an awesome build and this video is very well directed. Very well done dude!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Cameron!

[@PegasusVDK]

Great work my friend! Compliments 🙏🏻✨

[@BrainBomb]

My brotha, this didn't pop up on my feed until NOW. Haven't watched it yet but I will later today. Just wanted to let you know others mightve not seen this upload (like myself).

[@modustrial]

Thanks brother! Probably because it's not a reno vid 🤷‍♂️

[@BrainBomb]

@@modustrial most likely was, but I finally saw it. Looked great and you've finally gotten the hang of the hydrodipping for the most part! Also nice little session at the end I cant play any instrument period lol.

[@MyRhythmDivine]

your work always amazes me.

[@modustrial]

Thank you!

[@Ben-vu1nb]

This video needs millions of views, awesome content keep it up!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Ben! I agree 😁

[@MiegeMan]

Steve Vai is the GOAT!!!

[@SatanicJamnic]

That wood, what is it specifically? It's so dense and carves so good.

[@modustrial]

Basswood

[@lauraedwards5703]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video! Great content :)

[@modustrial]

Thanks Laura!

[@sethmullet8014]

Heck yeah Mike!! Awesome job

[@modustrial]

That's Seth!

[@Coasterdude02149]

DAMN that looks sweet! I wish I had your wood working skills....I'd love to do this with a BC Rich Bich to get a totally rad 80's looking axe. That guitar looks sick! Awesome job man! 🤘🏻

[@modustrial]

Thanks!

[@Coasterdude02149]

Modustrial Maker Very welcome

[@alleny2971]

Is that Slick or Sick?! Either way, great video! TY for making it!!

[@modustrial]

Maybe both? 😁

[@TheTiachamita]

Welcome back! Was awesome!

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@andreim9223]

thanks for extra links in description, guitar is amazing btw :)

[@modustrial]

Thank you! And no prob 😀

[@_Solaire_]

The go pro shot was awesome!!!(Make more videos like it and cant wait for a reno video!!!))

[@modustrial]

Thanks! Next reno vid will be out next week

[@nedward5871]

Nice! for the pickups you can 3D Print green bobbins and then wire your own... adventures in audio DIY! funny that there's no DIY finger jointed cabs on display...

[@luthieriadobranco8644]

great work !!! I'm a luthier and I try to swirl or marbeling on guitars, I bought the pebeo marbeling paints, and I got a formula ready for the paints to float easily, but when I apply the paint or background on the guitar and do the dip, the designs run and don't stick to the piece ! I've been trying for almost a year, please what base paint should I use to make the swirl stick to the guitar? thank you very much

[@matthewshort7904]

Hey, mate. I'm in the process of prepping my own PIA body for painting. I was going to send it off to a painter but I found a paint company that makes aerosol cans in the color I want. Anyway, I was wondering if you can provide some more insight on the magnets used for the back plates? I would love to do the same for mine.

[@lauig]

I'm curious with the back magnets, don't they modify the response of the single coil pickup a tiny bit ? (on humbuckers the magnetic field is by design much more contained than the very open one of single coils, so humbuckers shouldn't be noticeably bothered by anything outside the range of the strings on top of it but that single coil I wonder...)

[@leifwavetv5285]

Awesome job

[@otjmr8468]

Seriously awsome design love it

[@michaelparr4329]

Look into geting a spoke shave it makes outer diameter carving a sinch for accuracy

[@modustrial]

Good call!

[@andrytalia]

Waiting for the building renovation video!

[@modustrial]

Working on the roof and skylight vid as we speak! 😉

[@xyzcreate]

Yeeess! This has been my most anticipated video from you and it blew all my expectations away! I hope you continue to make more of these guitar build videos.

[@modustrial]

Thank you! Doing my best! 😁

[@ragincajun6965]

Love the videos! Just curious, what is it that you wear on your forearm?

[@modustrial]

Thanks! It's a brace to alleviate tennis elbow pain

[@oscarrochamusic4723]

I love this guitar

[@peterboekel2035]

If you want to be able to flip it on the CNC use a simple Jig to set it on. use 2 edges or create 2 aligning features and you can flip it and find your 0 point easiely. nice video thank you

[@modustrial]

Good tip! Thanks!

[@Havanacuba1985]

Excellent

[@samiam3297]

Very cool...sorta have the same idea without actually cutting etc. I have an ol Jem kit that I'll hydro...keep the handle (no pia ying/yang..keep all the hardware But...switch out the pick ups for Pia's... it will be a JemPia (in my mind that sounds like Gemini) ... just need to play with a color scheme since the pick ups came gold black (almost pasely) And the neck has a tree of life fretboard inlay scheme. That's the only thing holding me back...doesnt need to be perfect..just needs to match...so yeah. Fun times! Cool vid. Wish me luck. ✌️😎🎸

[@ruikade251]

Wow, amazing! Did you also build the neck or it was from an RG?

[@modustrial]

Thanks Rui! Neck was from the RG.... I'll definitely build a neck at some point though!

[@slobberingdog72]

Excellent video. Well done. Can we get the file for the body (from pattern ?) And also where did you get the neck from ? Good work, well done !!

[@modustrial]

I bought a used Ibanez RG450 for $250, and poached the neck and hardware from it. Shoot me an email and I'll send you the fusion file. [e-mail]

[@capnscootermusic]

I’m totally making one

[@ShayVidas]

you could have simply sand away the color and dip it again with a bit more black so it would match the head of the guitar better. the body work is fatastic

[@kermheat]

Great Colors !!

[@persebra]

You, sir are very cool!...and your little friend too...

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏