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 \\
o Sign up for FREE EASEL account: bit.ly/2X1SDtn
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 😜

[@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.

[@Thumper1968]

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

[@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

[@TheShaneGuy]

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

[@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..

[@vixapphire]

You're both a madman AND a hero!

[@tokk3n-hj4xg]

Wow! You picked the perfect colors.

[@nathanmciver6496]

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

[@allanhindmarch7323]

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

[@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 😁

[@leifwavetv5285]

Awesome job

[@PegasusVDK]

Great work my friend! Compliments 🙏🏻✨

[@kermheat]

Great Colors !!

[@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.

[@otjmr8468]

Seriously awsome design love it

[@marramusic]

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

[@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!

[@jojomafia3851]

WoW! Incredible and Amazing! 😎

[@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.

[@deborahnorthover5304]

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

[@OdinHammersmith]

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

[@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

[@phillipdeluca9930]

Awesome work…

[@jonathanhall7903]

Yeah...thats cool. Really like the project.

[@Sensei_Jaq]

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

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@salma_Nella22]

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

[@jesseferguson880]

Seriously cool, love the colour combo

[@modustrial]

Thanks Jesse!

[@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

[@tilaup]

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

[@garagemonkeysan]

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

[@modustrial]

Thank you!! 😁

[@lauraedwards5703]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video! Great content :)

[@modustrial]

Thanks Laura!

[@sethmullet8014]

Heck yeah Mike!! Awesome job

[@modustrial]

That's Seth!

[@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!

[@MyRhythmDivine]

your work always amazes me.

[@modustrial]

Thank you!

[@TheTiachamita]

Welcome back! Was awesome!

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@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 😁

[@ivangrifi]

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

[@modustrial]

thanks Ivan! Very kind words!

[@oscarrochamusic4723]

I love this guitar

[@brianewhiteguy]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks Brian!

[@MrUrag]

Nice video my friend good job.

[@Havanacuba1985]

Excellent

[@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!

[@devanggiri8482]

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

[@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!

[@tommygunn1901]

Nice work 👍🏻

[@modustrial]

Thanks much!

[@cameronfasola8193]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks Cameron!

[@smeagol37]

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

[@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!

[@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 😀

[@g35_nismo_neil7]

Just awesome man.... best video i'll see today!

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@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.

[@MCsCreations]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks much! Same to you!

[@Allgamersadvice]

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

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏

[@_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

[@oharakatie14]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks Katie!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Really cool Mike! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@modustrial]

Thanks Fred!

[@andresfelipecarvajalleonel5928]

🤟🏼that guitar is from another dimension🤟🏼

[@modustrial]

👽🛸🎸

[@Ben-vu1nb]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks Ben! I agree 😁

[@andreim9223]

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

[@modustrial]

Thank you! And no prob 😀

[@victororo462]

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

[@meekahiman3300]

Looks sick

[@modustrial]

Thanks much!

[@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

[@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

[@albarosantana7050]

Dude you’ve made an amazing guitar 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@modustrial]

Thank you!

[@capnscootermusic]

I’m totally making one

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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...

[@doubledarefan]

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

[@modustrial]

🤣🤣

[@andrytalia]

Waiting for the building renovation video!

[@modustrial]

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

[@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!

[@abdullahalnomantushar5482]

Im soooo waiting for the reno videos...damn

[@modustrial]

Later this week! 😉

[@rotarycartel1940]

time for another Ibanez Jem build🙏🏻

[@persebra]

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

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🙏

[@jeraldvickery4166]

you have an awesome shop, I would love to have. I am just getting my feet wet trying to learn the craft. Then see if I want to jump in the guitar making ocean. You do an amazing job. 5* Make me want to jump LOL.

[@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. ✌️😎🎸

[@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

[@darrenb5485]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks! I probably will at some point ;)

[@JUNKO____]

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

[@modustrial]

Thanks much!

[@Jack-sy8hs]

Think this needs to be in your master bedroom ;) nice build

[@modustrial]

Ha, definitely! Thanks much!

[@Jack-sy8hs]

Modustrial Maker no problem bud

[@firmamentofficial]

Sick!!

[@MiegeMan]

Steve Vai is the GOAT!!!

[@original_sin]

Dennis Quaid making guitars!🤟

[@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. 👍👍

[@TheTiachamita]

I Love it!

[@modustrial]

Thank 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 😀

[@louiszollo8439]

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

[@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

[@deejay.s]

Great video & music! Do you know the title of the song playing when you start dipping @11:05? Thanks.

[@russoloco1662]

Great video. My only question, why not use an original edge or even a schaller or gotoh floyd instead of the lower end edge (RG450, etc) or one of it's knock offs?

[@scrim2259]

so Sick!!!!!!!

[@modustrial]

Thanks Zac!

[@scrim2259]

@@modustrial no problem when is the next renovation video out?

[@nigelcsgo6863]

@@scrim2259 idk

[@modustrial]

Next week! Maybe even by Sunday if I can get some work done over the weekend

[@sindre4588]

When is the next house vid coming out?

[@modustrial]

Next week! 😁

[@sampowers6551]

@@modustrial cant wait!!!!

[@bungieborris9111]

Steve Vai would be proud

[@rubygrahame-dunn5367]

HAHA whaaaaat is this? Did not expect that intro. Epic.

[@modustrial]

Thanks! 😁😎

[@divinelygigidiary8221]

i need a tractor too lol

[@modustrial]

Thank you! 🙏🚜🚜