Turns Scrap Metal Into Guitar Sculptures

Full-sized hammered scrap-metal guitar wall sculptures, playable guitars with hammered scrap-metal artwork, and repurposed guitar furniture with hammered metal artwork.

My name is Mark Noll from Art Guitars. I have been creating this metal art for thirteen years and I love to experiment with different designs, tools, and patina finishes. In that time, the guitar pieces have made their way to patrons all over the country and around the world. My most famous guitar-art patron is the legendary rock guitarist Slash of the rock band Guns n’ Roses. His wife Perla gave him a Les Paul guitar sculpture for their tenth anniversary, and it hangs in his home studio.

My metal guitar sculptures are made from sheets of solid copper, brass or aluminium. The metal is repurposed, usually found at a local scrap metal yard. Sometimes, I use naturally-aged pieces of copper or brass that were tucked away in a corner somewhere for many years. First, I draw the rough shape on the metal and cut it out with aviation snips. Chisels, punches, hammers, and mallets bring the form to life. After polishing the surface with ultra-fine steel wool, I etch it with a patina solution or wipe on an antiquing wax. Finally, the piece is brushed with a clear coat to preserve the colors and finish, and a glass taxidermy eye is added on some pieces. I’m self-taught and use a blend of tools from traditional metalworking, auto body work, and woodworking. ~ Art Guitars