Reuben Forsland, If 6 Was 9 JOI Guitar (RECYCLED & RESCUED 2024)

Photos:

Reuben Forsland

Country:

Canada

Video tour:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3Y5qKSxhSC/

Completed in 2024, this guitar was meticulously designed to explore a rich interplay of textures. It is the fifth instalment in my Harmonic Hendrix Home Guitars series - ten unique guitars built from Jimi Hendrix's childhood home. This guitar delves into the realm of perception, offering an intriguing depth beyond what meets the eye. Aside from the bridge and fretboard, all wood materials were sourced from this home. Fir baseboards make up the back, sides, and headstock. The neck made from a lamination of 2x4' framing members. In addition, wiring, paint chips, and nails make up the rosette and fret dots along the neck. The pristine front imparts a softer, warmer ambiance, resembling the authenticity of a true acoustic guitar. In contrast, the vintage and worn back and sides evoke the spirit of a well-used electric guitar. With this build, I was reflecting on Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9" - a song that emphasizes his "I'm just gonna be me" attitude and use of 6 and 9 as a metaphor for perspective. I became acquainted with Jim Hendrix's music long after his time, discovering him in my twenties and fully appreciating his significance in the guitar world 15 years later. The realization of his enduring importance struck me while discussing a custom acoustic guitar I crafted for Slash. This unexpected connection led to me securing a license agreement with Authentic Hendrix to create the Harmonic Hendrix Home Guitars. These builds aim to push the boundaries of the traditional guitar craft, showcasing the limitless possibilities in creating world-class instruments that resonate with the legacy of a guitarist regarded by many as the greatest guitar player to have ever lived.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.