Here at Guitar Kit World, we appreciate the creativity of our DIY community. Every once in a while, a build stands out. That’s exactly what happened when we saw the recent work of Norway-based artist and musician, Peter-John de Villiers (known to his fans on Instagram as @theshallowtree).
Peter-John is a visual artist who recently decided to step out of his comfort zone, merging his artistic expertise with his 30-year passion for playing the guitar. Using one of our DIY kits as a blank canvas, he transformed the raw wood into a unique work of art. We were interested in his build and reached out to learn more.
We sat down with Peter-John to discuss his ideas, how his background as an artist influenced his process, and what it feels like to play a personalized instrument built from scratch.
Here is what he had to share about his build journey.
The Spark & Motivation
Interviewer: What made you decide to take on a DIY guitar build in the first place
Peter: I have been playing guitar for almost 30 years now, and knew very little about the mechanics of a guitar, just a player. I had honestly always been a bit nervous about making adjustments to my guitars and left it to the pros. Building a guitar kind of broke down all of those unknowns, and I really enjoyed the process!
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Interviewer: Why did you choose this specific guitar kit as your canvas? Peter: I've always been a Fender guy, and thought it would be fun to explore something new for a change. Also, the body had a great surface area for a piece of artwork.
Interviewer: As an artist, how does working on a functional, playable instrument differ from working on a traditional canvas?
Peter: Well, a relationship to a guitar is different, because you bond with your instrument, sitting there playing it for hours. Putting the creative energy into building the instrument takes that feeling to an entirely new level; it's really rewarding to play a guitar that you have built!
The Artistic Inspiration
Interviewer: The artwork on this body is incredible. What was the core inspiration or story behind the design you chose?
Peter: Thank you! It has some Ancient Egypt vibes going on. I've always been fascinated by that time period So the inspiration came easily.
Interviewer: Did you map out the entire design beforehand, or did it evolve organically as you worked on the wood?
Peter: Yes, I did a sketch beforehand to get a nice composition for the shape. I'm pretty new to woodcarving so it was a lot of discovery, and this was my first time working with gold leaf, that was fun!
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Interviewer: Are there any specific artists, music genres, or personal experiences that fueled the aesthetic of this build?
Peter: Not specifically, the inspiration is more of a collective thing. But I love all types of art and music, my taste is all over the place!
The Process & Experience
Interviewer: Using the entire guitar as a canvas is a bold move! What was the most challenging part of applying your art and finishing the body?
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Peter: Definitely the woodcarving was the hardest part, because I don’t really know what I'm doing. I watched 1 minute of a YouTube video and just decided to get into it.
Interviewer: Did you run into any unexpected hurdles during the actual assembly or setup of the guitar? How did you overcome them?
Peter: The assembly was super easy! In this case, everything was prewired, so I would definitely recommend this kit to first-time builders.
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Interviewer: What was the most rewarding moment of the entire process?
Peter: Plugging the guitar in for the first time and playing!
The Takeaway
Interviewer: How does it feel to actually hold and play an instrument that you not only built but completely personalized from scratch?
Peter: The experience is so different from buying a guitar used or from a shop. You have an appreciation for the process, like you know the guitar on a deeper level. Playing that feels very different; the overall experience is really rewarding and fun.
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Interviewer: If someone reading this is feeling inspired to build and paint their own guitar, what is the number one piece of advice you’d give them?
Peter: Just go for it, stop thinking and do it!
Courtesy of Peter-John de Villiers
Interviewer: Do you have any plans for another build in the future? If so, any hints on what the next canvas might look like?
Peter: I definitely do! I'm not sure yet!
Ready to Build Your Own Canvas?
A huge thank you to Peter-John for sharing his build and creative journey with the Guitar Kit World community.
The guitar kit pictured above is where it all began: an unfinished body, a box of parts, and an idea. What followed was a remarkable transformation that turned a simple DIY guitar kit into a playable work of art. Peter's project is a reminder that every custom build starts the same way, with a blank canvas and the willingness to create something uniquely your own.
Whether you're dreaming of a custom finish, a hand-painted design, or a completely original concept, your next project starts with taking that first step. As Peter puts it, stop thinking and just do it.
Ready to start your own build? Pick a kit, trust your creativity, and see where the journey takes you. Your guitar could be the next one featured by the Guitar Kit World community.
Peter-John's build is a perfect example of what makes the Guitar Kit World community special. Every project starts with a kit, but no two finished guitars are ever the same.
Whether you're planning your first build, experimenting with a custom finish, or creating a guitar that reflects your own artistic vision, we'd love to see what you're working on.
Join the Guitar Kit World community to share your build, connect with fellow makers, ask questions, exchange ideas, and discover inspiring projects from builders around the world. Your next idea could come from another member, and your finished guitar could inspire someone else's journey.
Become part of the conversation and show us what you create.
Mark Maneja
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Mark Maneja
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Mahogany TR Guitar Kit with Bolt On Neck, SSS Pickups, Rosewood Fretboard