Turning Temu's cheapest guitar into something....amazing?

[@samuraiguitarist]

Break out of your intermediate rut with a straight forward path to improvement. Join the Dojo for weekly lessons samuraiguitartheory.com/p/the-samurai-guitar-theory-dojo-m

[@GearSounds]

I told you at Namm that my favorite content from you was weird guitar pedals. You said you had "Scraped the bottom of the barrel with that content". I respectfully disagreed but I'm happy to see you still doing weird things.

[@BlueJayWaters]

I'm totally down to see this guitar get elevated with better parts. Seeing a luthier do something this professional...yet so unprofessional at the same time is a strange kind of enjoyment 😂

[@nuthinbutlove]

Same here

[@Nug_Lord]

I want to see it with a slightly nicer guitar so we can compare between the two - how much better can the disastercaster really get? What’s the final evolution and is it even worth it lmao

[@sanyo_neezy]

yea and it should be called the Master Disastercaster xD

[@BlueJayWaters]

@@Nug_Lord I'm down for that as well!

[@itdock]

How about cutting an acoustic in half and reattaching the back to make a thinline hollowbody?

[@andrewpappas9311]

I’m genuinely impressed at how good it sounded at the end, like wow. You guys did a great job, loved it

[@dom-ru5cc]

Well he probably played it through a good amp and recorded it with a quality mic

[@andrewpappas9311]

@@dom-ru5cc I mean yeah, but it still sounded killer nonetheless

[@lilbacon7777]

@@dom-ru5cc Theoretically that means what you're hearing is the purest sound it can make, making it even more impressive?

[@frenandin]

I was scared for a second when I heard the neck pickups and thought they sounded good. I thought I had completely lost my mind and then saw people in the comments saying they liked the sound as well.

[@thenewjerseys]

I love how the only problem I'm having with it is the pickguard flapping in the breeze.

[@jhammons2310]

DUDE wtf is that lmao I can’t believe they didn’t make a custom pick guard to this

[@thenewjerseys]

Right? Mismatched knobs? Nah, fits the theme. Non-working bigsby? What do you want, perfection? How about the pickguard--YOU AND YOUR LUTHIER SUCK SAMMY G!@@jhammons2310

[@mrspitch4026]

I think making a custom pick guard would be completely missing the point of the challenge

[@mobilesoundexperiments3719]

I was surprised with the sound of this monstrosity. it was surprisingly good, I can't imagine what an expensive disastercaster would sound like.

[@clemensmoeller4549]

The fender acoustasonics are kind of similar to this

[@CandyPossum]

This is one of the most beautifully insane guitars I've ever seen. Wonderfully done, Sammy, and PLEASE keep this bizarre guitar train runnin'!

[@abunai.j]

Another vote for doing this with all quality stuff. It started out as a gaff, but I ended up seeing the finished guitar and thinking "man, this could actually be really dope."

[@RC32Smiths01]

Ahh yes, the long-awaited sequel to the Frankenstrat. This is certainly one of the most beautifully wretched things I've seen in guitar modding. And even after all of that, this looks like something Chet Atkins would play!

[@TheAlexFromGalax]

Which video do you mean?

[@christopher-miles]

omg. right?

[@carterpochynok4874]

Honestly doesn't sound too far off from his "Dark Eyes" tone, either. Especially in the neck position.

[@kzarnold3678]

​​@@TheAlexFromGalax did you figure out what video they are mentioning

[@BasementDragon]

@@TheAlexFromGalax it’s not one of Sam’s videos. They’re talking about a guitar by Van Halen if what I found is correct.

[@marcusmagellan]

You’re the kind of guitarist that makes all “monstrosities” sound good 👏👏👏

[@Tape_Deck]

I'm infuriated by how amazing it actually sounds

[@picksalot1]

Yeah, it's got a vibe!

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

I think it's more the player than the guitar.

[@Tape_Deck]

@@myautobiographyafanfic1413 well yeah I know that. You can plug a guitar into an amp worth 1000 dollars and it'll sound great. It's the painter, not the brush I get it. But the guitar itself sounds really nice

[@Aeduo]

@@myautobiographyafanfic1413 Even a good guitarist wouldn't be able to do anything about their electronics being muddy or overly bright. For some cheapo pickups/electronics, they sound surprisingly decent. I'm sure the knobs will get crackly in a few months, though.

[@adamgreenhill110]

It's basically a Gretsch guitar. They're acoustics with pickups and tremolo like this

[@NHail]

the fact that you had a saw and still chose not to cut the part of the pickgaurd that hangs off is..... art

[@moxzilla6]

The acoustic disaster-caster is definitely going to become a trend now I can’t wait to see what others come up with and how you guys do an upgraded version of this! 😊

[@extremelystrung]

I’ve had this gentleman do three refrets for me now and a couple things, I love his work. I’m very fortunate to live in the same city. Look forward to more content with Lucas!!

[@bkmeahan]

Disastercaster. I am stealing that for the logo for all my guitar builds

[@LegionOfWeirdos]

10:23 - That's EXACTLY what I was thinking the whole video. I'd be curious to see an at least non-junk guitar put together with decent versions of the same parts because this hunk of crap doesn't sound half bad especially considering what it's made of.

[@powercakes]

i hate the fact that I actually love how this thing sounds. It's so woody and wide and I kinda adore it.

[@reallyniock]

This is the kind of mad scientist guitar content that I love to watch, but rarely do I see it involve an actual luthier. What an awesome direction. Hope to see more.

[@Atlas_Mohler]

This is one of my favorite videos. And I’ve been a subscriber for years. I wish it was longer and you went more into detail with how the luthier did what he did, but I’m sure most people enjoy it more this way.

[@robinr22]

I'm halfway through but I already wish it was longer!

[@pravamtripathy]

One way you could deal with trapdoor could be a magnet to latch on when its open to stop it from rattling👍

[@aravindvinayakan]

I would love to see this with higher quality parts and maybe a higher quality guitar. A used Baby Taylor wouldn't break the bank and would be a huge step up in quality over the Temu special. Great video and I'm looking forward to seeing any future updates to the Disastercaster!

[@Aeduo]

I'd say stick with a valueless husk, this thing is basically destined to self-destruct/become unplayable over time no matter how well you do it.

[@adamgreenhill110]

That would just be a Gretsch guitar. Acoustic, with pickups and tremolo

[@benjamingettinger233]

ACTUALLY… I have a GS Mini that someone accidentally stepped on that was never quite right after repair. This is inspiring 😂

[@tfclarkin]

Thanks!

[@NicHeuwGuitar]

This is so creative in a destructive and constructive way. Need more this type of videos, very fun process to witness!

[@jamiehobbs3750]

This is amazing! Id love to see this concept with elevated parts but i must say for what this is its pretty remarkable!

[@AdamSliger]

I did a Temu guitar gear vid myself… I highly suggest the finger shakers from there! The only thing I’ve actually used more than once

[@avgmaker]

If you want to have the door open but dont want it to rattle, you could glue a magnet onto the door and where it lands on the outside so when it's opened it can't move. Might look ugly, but what doesn't really on this build lol

[@morrelljw]

ITS GLORIOUS!!!!! This is how the SammyG custom shop starts. We definitely need to see this with higher quality parts. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@SpellsandCurses]

You should do this with a high end or mid tier Taylor acoustic!! And better parts as well, of course

[@MashaT22]

As a primarily acoustic player, this guitar totally rocks! I would totally want to see you make a better version of Disastercaster with a much more decent guitar - maybe pick up an inexpensive Epiphone or another brand with decent budget acoustic models?

[@EladIdan]

This is fun, i want to see Disaster Caster 2: Disasteree Casterer. Also doing a serious franken-accoustic where you actually planned it, got good quality parts, and put an appropriate amount of effort would be a total blast and i would totally like and subscribe and hit the notification button for that!

[@kentabenno]

I think this is a great idea and I am shocked that not more people do these kinds of ridiculous mods. It actually didnt sound half bad either! Cool project, pleeeeease do the same with higher quality components!

[@TBoneProductionsVB]

Check out my main axe. It has pretty ridiculous looking mods. Mines not silly though aside from jokingly adding stickers of vol/tone knobs where they used to be. The rest is carefully calculated prioritizing the function to be performance quality.

[@BringMayFlowers]

I mean, it is a lot of effort for what effectively amounts to a scuffed hollowbody electric guitar.

[@eviemoody]

You proved once again that a talented musician can make about anything sound good.

[@alexcover1348]

This feels like a spiritual successor to Kurt’s live unplugged guitar. I’m all for it

[@rubenpv]

It was pretty cool dude, thanks for experimenting!

[@nuthinbutlove]

Great tech to actually take the time to do a quality build! I would love to see him do the same build with quality parts, that would surely become a collector's item.

[@Rossrfisher]

I'll be honest, I actually quite liked the sound of the "double single coil". Turned out way better than I expected. I'd love to see you do one with good parts on a good guitar. Say $500 - $1000 budget (excluding labour) so you're still not sacrificing a guitar you shouldn't be. And let Lucas take his time to do things properly. I feel like you'll end up with a really nice guitar!

[@K1500Project]

This was great - I'm doing my first ever strip and rebuild of a epiphone SG (had been given to a friend as project guitar and came back black with sparkly green flames, but unfinished), I was looking at those exact P90s on Temu! Had been considering turning it into a basitar but I may save that for my next project when I've learned to basic things, like solder. But yeah, really enjoyed that - would love to see the concept with higher quality componenets!

[@tfclarkin]

Happy Holidays from South Texas to you, Jenny and the kids! Thanks for the great channel!

[@Zundfolge]

There was a little guitar shop I used to frequent in my youth that had an annual "Ugly Guitar Contest" around this time of year .(I entered with my headless converted Teisco franken strat several times). This thing would have done well. And thing is it actually sounds way better than it has any right to.

[@joemueller781]

I think JJ Cale played something like this - I think his was a Harmony or Guild and it had, like, 6 pickups and a bunch of switching

[@zombie-process7025]

HOW the HELL do you make it sound that good? That's... honestly incredible.

[@timgoodwintv]

The tele pick guard is just so funny looking the way it sticks out where the cutaway is it’s amazing lol

[@jonda2282]

I would definitely like to see you do this type of "mod" to a playable acoustic, using real pots and acceptable parts. Could be interesting!

[@CellarStudioProductions]

Totally on board with a high-quality version of this. The neck position sounded surprisingly good imo.

[@ChrisCanMakeStuff]

It sounds surprisingly good as an electric!

[@BDogGrizzly]

PLEASE!!! You’ve GOT TO do another, more elevated Version of this Project. I’d be tempted to buy that thing from you!

[@melcrose]

Well, I must not know anything, 'cause I thought it sounded amazing.

[@tylerrosier1068]

I’d love to see more videos with your luthier! He seems like an awesome guy!

[@marlonmalave7098]

0:05 that’s my face when

[@kernelpickle]

That sounded far better than it had any right to, and I think if you trimmed the pick guard ever so slightly so it doesn’t extend beyond the body it would look halfway decent. In it’s current form it’s the sort of guitar only Jack White or similar guitar playing masochist could love-but I think if you did that with a guitar that’s more playable to begin with. Like something you could just find on the wall at Guitar Center in the $200-500 range. I think you might find something comfortable. On the next one you should definitely go nuts with a MIDI pickup, in addition to some nice electric guitar pickups and piezo stuff-but I think you should install a small, low wattage amp (ideally a 1-5W tube amp) and replace the sound hole with a speaker. Then you can do you can try something wild like rubbing the speaker in reverse to use it as a microphone, when you’re not using it to amplify the sound-just because you can. I would also suggest cutting a new hole on the backside to make accessing the electronics easier and to provide a port for the speaker to move air better. I wouldn’t worry about it being used acoustically, because that’s what the speaker is for, and you can use the sound output from the piezo with some signal processing to fake it and make it way louder than a regular acoustic. I’m thinking this would be the ultimate, battery powered, one-man-band, busking guitar. As a stretch goal, if you’re as tech savvy as I am, I think you could try to install some sort of computer, tablet or smart device to function as a DAW and/or provide on-board effects and signal processing, or playing back backing tracks. I am envisioning that most of the internal components of this thing would occupy most of the space in the body cavity, which will make it super fucking heavy-but ideal for busking, compared to hauling around a bunch of crap. You could just have that, a headset mic, and maybe the MIDI floor unit to control stuff, like effect switching and expression pedal controls, and a good looper. If you wanted to skip the computer stuff, maybe a newer version of a Line6 POD or whatever sort of multi-effects, amp sim in-a-box effects are out there these days. I think the backside of the guitar, with the whole resonating chamber aspect is the least important aspect of this idea, and maybe you would be better off getting one of those fiberglass rounded bodies to begin with so it won’t matter as much if you have to separate it from the body to build all of this stuff into it. Maybe even make it removable on purpose. Fiberglass isn’t terribly hard to work with, so you could also consider making a custom shaped one yourself? If I weren’t between jobs, and had a little extra cash lying around, this is the exact sort of crazy thing I would consider doing, because other than the instrument, nothing is going to be wasted if it sucks.

[@chefbanjo8139]

I endorse the idea of a disastercaster with actual quality parts.

[@rickenbacker40011]

Pleaseee do this with great parts, that initial demo actually sounded really good

[@jenseeraqolsen4980]

Hell yeah, I’m down to seeing a better version of this. Better parts, better building. Would love to see it. Do it man!

[@smalltownnightlife]

The little sound hatch door should open inwards so that it's not in the way of your arm.

[@jakec4920]

Someone gotta have this as their signature guitar

[@istimamrian5300]

Definitely one another one. I loved the sound. The cheap price makes it more exciting

[@XaleManix]

This is magnificent. I'd love to see more of these -- maybe making an acoustic out of an electric, too?

[@dudustickytricks]

Check out the Nylocaster

[@Pinko_Jess]

Thank you for adding “Disastercaster” to my vocabulary

[@ZurlHammerdoom]

I started watching videos on your channel because of the short of this build. I love the idea. Looking forward to seeing what kind of disastrous beauty you cook up next.

[@bradenwomac5000]

Giving nirvana unplugged vibes

[@victoragun8751]

I’ll love to see this done with better quality parts. Also I felt you could experiment with a different placement for the sound hole.

[@jackapples1]

Either youre super short or the luthier is extremely tall

[@RoryHamiltonn]

Short

[@supermario2100]

This idea reminds me of the Burns Steer, famously played by Billy Bragg. It's a dreadnought-shaped semi-hollow with a bolt-on maple neck, a Strat-style hardtail bridge, a bridge humbucker and neck single-coil, and a big top-mount pickguard with the electronics in it. And it only comes in green burst.

[@DMSProduktions]

Stay AWAY from Temu, it's a SCAM!

[@michaelturner7308]

I liked the sounds you were able to pull out of this with the electric components. A Disastercaster 2.0 might surprise us all.

[@Onlyanaccount]

You should add a coil split/out of phase with the volume and tone knobs, and install the unused pickup in close to the bridge with a 5-way pickup switch. (I'm halfway joking halfway not)

[@Ry_Valz]

you should just have the hole cover with magnets and a small cloth to pull it out when needed. By that, it won't get in the way. The Bigsby knockoff just needs an original spring for a stronger tension but the bridge nut might also need a replacement. I suggest a roller saddles which you can just glue it on that bridge nut slot for the strings to slide easy.

[@ChaosReacon137]

I second doing a Disaster Caster with better parts and see how that turns out. Because with the price of this being a beginner guitar to somewhat alright with everything said and done, would definitely be interesting taking a similar guitar and seeing what's possible for a DIY project like this or getting it to someone to do the mods for you

[@rockerfromhk]

It is a cool idea. I love modifing guitars. I have a 76 Tele originally with a Fender Bigsby but I modified it into one OBL humbucker with Floyd Rose. I also have a home made headless with Floyd Rose Speedloader tremolo.

[@howlinhobbit]

my sweetie discovered Temu a little while back and has been going crazy with their stuff. I was especially amused by your skull knob, considering I have 3 small (about the size of the distal phalange on my pinky finger) skulls, made from something that looks like poured clay, staring at me from my desk. she bought like a bag of 50 for the silly spots in the garden she’s working on.

[@BwBumbar]

You should totally do an elevated version of this. Start with a nicer affordable acoustic like a recording king or Alvarez masterworks, cut the guards custom, use standard SD pickups, etc….so cool

[@theDragoon007yaboiCJ]

ive done this before and its honestly not that surprising considering thats how prototypes were tried to be made back in the time to make electric acoustic, the idea of why it was changed to piezo and controls are on the side instead of on the top is because of how having electronics and knobs on the top would mess with the acoustics and sustain of the guitar itself. As for the soundhole, well theres a reason why theres soundhole feedback mufflers or whatever they are called. You can just make or find a mini version of it.

[@Jenisonc]

The first 15 seconds. "All the time! Lets see what you've got!!!" Fired up already. 🤘🙌

[@BlindPidePiper]

Yes, definately do another! This one would be awesome to hang on the wall as artwork!

[@kilocharlie1100]

This thing sounds surprisingly good as an electric! Would love to see a version with expensive parts!

[@cole3053]

This was fun to watch. There were nice video and segment transitions and I find I'm still a bit curious about Lucas after watching him work a little. Love that you're thinking outside the box, Sammy G.

[@flushmastercyclonis186]

The stinger was the best part, hearing a professional artisan casually say "just break this stuff off."

[@nahuelcardozo6533]

That guitar ended up being hilariously cool, I love it looked at the end and really shows that was moded by someone that really knew what he was doing

[@ChikenComet]

The topics of your videos are always so enteraining. Feels great to play a little, then eat some snacks while watching your vids

[@Gnegnetto]

I actually love how you transformed it, definitely gonna try

[@RocknMesa]

Well done, you caught me with the youtube short. Glad i checked out the whole vid. Very cool

[@RistoOnKadunud]

I'm pretty sure why the volume knob is 'broken' is because it's in a linear scale, not logarithmic. So rather than following the curve of how human hearing works, the sound is really quiet and then at a random point becomes loud.

[@duaneperkins8329]

I totally loved this! I would love to see a 2.0...and maybe a x3 with good guitar and good parts!!!

[@silvansky]

For 2.0 project build please use a wooden block under the bigsby unit. Yes, the guitar will become semihollow, but without it the top won't last long.

[@ehpiii_music]

Disastercaster 2.0 needs to happen for sure. Start with a similar (or even the same) guitar but make no compromises on your hardware.

[@justinf3278]

The pickups didn't sound terrible. The piezo wasn't much to talk about but this was a fun idea thanks for the video

[@DominicPiscopoFigidiniHill]

When done with decent parts these are awesome. Joey StLucas from San Diego Psychobilly band The Strikers did a pickup and Bigsby set up on an acoustic 20 years ago as his main rig. The most rock n roll thing ever.

[@sixstringstruggle6508]

OMG. Greatest guitar ever. You have to do this for real. With much better fitment for things like to pick guard and such

[@ViktorSarge]

I'd be happy to see a version with better parts. This sounds pretty good as an electric. I would have no complaints hearing it in a song.

[@gangpardos3833]

Get a Taylor drednaught. Put a big any on it, a dynasonic and a filtertrons as pickups. Coil split the filtertrons so it has a push pull pot, put a cymbal on it for percussion and on top of all that make the neck fretless. Stratgedy

[@samuelhatman8995]

Sammy H. here... If I heard properly, there were Gibson Super 400 vibes coming out of the jazz demo licks you used. That could be a whole series: Let's make a legendary [] guitar using this no holds barred build. I know I'd watch them all. Sincerely, old man saving money for courses from everybody... yours, Sammy H. playing happily for 66 years.

[@TribalGuitars]

Great vid as always. Definitely make not-a-disastercaster. I think an Orangewood would make a great, reasonably inexpensive base to start with.

[@ShallieDragon]

This was a cool experiment. Would love to see more like it.

[@JarnellFishball]

I’ve been wanting to do something like this for the longest time! Glad to see someone living the dream

[@theinfinityiq6074]

This would be really cool to do with an Orangewood guitar now that they ship to Canada. Then you may be able to scoop some parts up from local shops around Winnipeg to help them out. I've only know of Beardsell guitars because of you for example and when the time comes I will be using their services. Thanks for the video!

[@mckinleymorton]

That sounds quite nice and I like the fact that you can get different voices out of it.

[@ahmedarkan545]

this is probaby one of my favorite videos from you. You have to make this a series!

[@NedJeffery]

I really like the idea of using magnetic pickups on an acoustic. But do it properly. Maybe with a jazzmaster style trem, and single coils on each side of the sound hole. You have to swap out that bridge though.

[@gillt6748]

That was a good Idea. Ive thought about a lot of rebuilding on some of the axes I collected but unfortunately I moved across the west side of Canada that I left those axes behind. Good video. Nice to have a handy guy moding it all together. Cheers

[@kyriakosxanthopoulos3468]

So nice and mellow sound in the end!

[@madbrowndog4887]

Maybe it's just a reflection on my hearing after a career working on jet engines, but I thought that sounded great! Start your upgrade with things that improve playability, like ditching the dodgy bigsby and volume pot. And trim the overhang on that damn pick guard. Then report back to us. Just a thought, what about a cut and shut on the body to make it thinline?