Joe Stump is an accomplished guitarist known for putting a new meaning on the word "shred". In fact, Guitar One magazine named Joe the Sixth fastest shredder on the planet! Damn! He is currently teaching at Berklee College of Music in Boston MA.
Not too long ago, I figured that if anyone deserves a Tribute Guitar, it's Joe Stump. But I thought I would take it in a different direction. Most tribute guitars are themed around the artist's style of music, a song they wrote, or an album they have. This has been done too many times. This guitar's theme is going to have practically nothing to do with Joe Stump as a person or an artist. Because this is an art project for school, I'm going to say that the guitar will be "an abstract representation of Joe's musical influence on society" so that way I sound really smart and artistic to all the super intellectual chai tea drinkers...
I'm going to try and keep away from cliched things like turning the guitar into an axe, or having a uselessly practical handle thingy. No no no, my friends. This guitar will abandon all that you think you know. It will take the ideals you hold near and dear and obliterate them with its sheer musical awesomeness.
First, Cut a groove like ditch along the edge of the body. On the top edge, lay down some grass (not real of course) for a nice resting place for the player's hands. Along the bottom half, insert nails painted brown with the spikes facing outwards to represent thorns. (Note for all you hyper-smart coffee house'ers: Pretend that the grass represents the uprising of the underground hippy scene and that the thorns represent the governments oppression of the Green People.)
Second, attatch a flat-backed dish to the body right behind the bridge. Inside this dish, I will place a small fake tree. (Another Note for the insanely intellectual college kids that listen to Dave Matthew's Band and Phish alot. This could be a symbol of the ever-changing musical influence on the Journey, nay, the TREK to legalize weed ...)
Third, for some comedic value (which is always a nice touch) I plan to make a large hole near the bottom of the body and attatch a puppet of some sort so that the person playing can stick his/her hand behind the guitar and into the puppet whilst jamming, to rile the crowd, or give a show for the kids!
Thanks for your support, Joe!
