Bone FISH Creations

Bone FISH Creations Handcrafted stringed instruments made from cigar boxes, fuel cans, license plates, and more. Playable art with a rustic soul. Custom orders available!

Custom builds, unique designs, and one-of-a-kind sound. Bone Fish Creations specializes in handcrafted, one-of-a-kind stringed instruments made from repurposed materials like cigar boxes, fuel cans, and license plates. Each build is a playable work of art, designed for musicians, collectors, and those who appreciate rustic craftsmanship. No two guitars are the same, but every piece is built with soul and passion.

For something a little outside my normal lane, I created this double-neck fretless guitar for Alex Lechner as part of th...
06/01/2026

For something a little outside my normal lane, I created this double-neck fretless guitar for Alex Lechner as part of this spring’s Great CBG Builder Swap.

Alex is known for his Frankenstein and steampunk-inspired creations, so I wanted to build something that felt like it belonged in his world. What started as an old oil tin can was cut apart, torched, weathered, stitched back together with copper and steel, and brought back to life as a playable instrument.

The result became FBX-XIII (Franken Box Xperiment – Swap 13), featuring dual fretless necks, a railroad spike bridge, a stitched oil can body, a spark plug tailpiece, and plenty of salvaged parts woven into the build.

This project challenged me to step outside my usual style and trust the story the guitar wanted to tell. In the end, I gained a whole new appreciation for Alex’s creative approach to turning forgotten objects into something entirely new.

Here are a few photos of the finished piece. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed building it.

An old friend made its way back into the shop today — #123 Undercrown 6-String Cigar Box Guitar.The owner mentioned it h...
05/16/2026

An old friend made its way back into the shop today —
#123 Undercrown 6-String Cigar Box Guitar.

The owner mentioned it had developed a little string buzz. After checking it over, I found the high E saddle screws on the hardtail bridge had slowly worked themselves loose from good old-fashioned playing time.

Easy fix.

A touch of clear fingernail polish on the threads to act as a mild thread locker should keep everything where it belongs without making future adjustments difficult.

While it’s on the bench, it will also be getting:
• fret level and redress
• nut adjustment to fine tune the action
• fresh cleanup and conditioning
• a little Lumberjack Lard treatment
• and a fresh set of strings

Always good seeing one of these guitars come back with some honest wear from being played instead of hanging untouched on a wall.

— Bone Fish Creations

05/02/2026

Go to a VDub campout at Bill Monroe Music Park-Campground and see that one of the mandolins I last constructed is there and getting some play time by one of the Artist playing in the woods.

Introducing the Bowtie-SixA one-off 6-string resonator built from a Chevrolet hubcap, bar stool top, and a whole lot of ...
04/30/2026

Introducing the Bowtie-Six
A one-off 6-string resonator built from a Chevrolet hubcap, bar stool top, and a whole lot of garage thinking. Chrome, wood, steel, and tone.

Handbuilt in Indiana by Bone Fish Creations.

Playable art. Built to be heard.

See ya’ll tomorrow
04/25/2026

See ya’ll tomorrow

Thanks to Jordan Ross, (hope you don’t mind me sharing),I had no idea Bloomington had this many weekly open mic opportun...
04/18/2026

Thanks to Jordan Ross, (hope you don’t mind me sharing),
I had no idea Bloomington had this many weekly open mic opportunities. Sharing for musicians, music lovers, and anyone wanting to support local live music.

Also selfishly… I’d love to find some jam sessions and let people check out a few Bone Fish Creations builds.

04/04/2026

Make’n it look ole’ and sweaty……

04/04/2026

Not everything I build starts new…

Sometimes you’ve gotta make it earn its age.

Heat, vinegar, salt… and a little copper chemistry.

Let the metal sweat, let it bloom, and let time do its thing—fast.

No filters. No fake relic.

Just controlled chaos.

Bone Fish Creations

04/02/2026

BAN ONE” — Smokey and the Bandit Tribute

Built from a 1976 Georgia license plate and brought to life as a one-of-a-kind 4-string guitar.

This piece blends nostalgia, raw materials, and craftsmanship—right down to the fretboard detail:
“East bound and down…”

Specs:
• 4-string build
• Ghosted humbucker (neck position)
• Volume + tone controls (acorn nut k***s)
• Custom aluminum tailpiece
• Chrome hardware
• Rivet fret markers (player’s side)
• Poplar neck
• Padauk fretboard + headstock accents
• Mahogany sides with redwood bookmatched back
• Bone Fish Creations brand + glass cabochon

Built to be played. Built to stand out.

🎸 Bone Fish Creations — Playable Art

Includes strap buttons + ready to plug and play

📩 Message me if interested

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Address

Bloomington, IN
47408

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