In a remarkable fusion of engineering and artistry, Vlado Plateis is transforming discarded car engine heads into bespoke electric guitars. Through his project, Plateis Guitars – Vlado Plateis, the Slovenian craftsman merges the gritty aesthetics of car culture with the precision of metalwork, creating instruments as original as their maker.
Crafting story-telling instruments
Every guitar crafted by Plateis starts life as a used engine head that once roared beneath the hood of a vehicle, only to be reinvented as a musical powerhouse. The visible industrial character of the metal is maintained, allowing its unique shape, marks, and history to shine through the music it produces. What was once bound for the scrapyard becomes a centerpiece of sound.
Precision and individuality in every piece
Building each guitar is a meticulous process. Plateis dedicates approximately three months per creation, ensuring that the instrument isn’t just visually innovative but also functionally sound. This careful balance between aesthetics and mechanics results in an artifact at the intersection of sculpture, music, and mechanical design. Each guitar, such as the Ghost from a Dodge DOHC 2.4l engine, showcases a distinct narrative through its form and weight.
The project speaks to a wide audience: musicians, collectors, car enthusiasts, and design aficionados. By highlighting the inherent beauty of reclaimed materials, Plateis Guitars demonstrates how what might be seen as waste can take on life anew, each piece a testament to creative ingenuity.
For another innovative approach to using unexpected materials in design, explore how a Melbourne designer transforms eggshell waste into award-winning modular lamps.
A celebration of craftsmanship and rebirth
Plateis refines each guitar for balance, strength, and tuning stability, integrating raw metal casting with pickups and strings. The resulting creations are both playable instruments and captivating sculptures, like the Sorell, sourced from a Toyota Corolla engine weighing 4.1 kg.
The outcome is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, where each guitar embodies the legacy of its automotive origin while striking a new chord on stage. It’s artistry like this that showcases the potential of @plateis.guitars to retell stories through transformation, giving voice to metal that once knew only the road.
Similarly, discover how a Polish artist creates incredible sculptures from scrap metal, highlighting art’s transformative power.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com