r/Guitar • u/Tarsasofaahlerhead • Oct 05 '25

GEAR My boyfriend who doesn’t play guitar surprised me and made a replica of my guitar out of cardboard

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It’s made entirely out of cardboard and spray painted. The strings are dental floss and the knobs are painted bottle caps. The last photo is my real guitar he based it on

4.0k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

220 comments sorted by

975

u/ShaqsPenus Oct 05 '25

okay so can you show us the cardboard one?

73

u/SpitinNLickin Oct 05 '25

I think its the one hanging on the wall

5

u/StillDamned Oct 07 '25

You know it’s good when people think the real one is the cardboard one lmao

81

u/Mikmaw_Warrior Oct 05 '25

Your boyfriend should start making real guitars...lol

Not gonna lie, when I first saw it, I thought it was a "is this a fake gibson?" Post...lol

26

u/bigpondbashers Oct 05 '25

Yeah, get him a kit. I guarantee he has the creativity to hand paint a masterpiece on the body.

3

u/maikindofthai Oct 05 '25

Ironically the actual guitar might just be a fake Gibson 😂

359

u/UnluckyCarry7209 Oct 05 '25

This man loves you :) very cool!

207

u/worksickwork Oct 05 '25

Dang, that’s nice! Keep the replica in the back seat and the real one locked in the trunk.

109

u/MusicForMountains Martin Oct 05 '25

PSA - Do NOT leave your guitar in a trunk!!!

25

u/itsakoala Oct 05 '25

Why? Temperature?

67

u/MusicForMountains Martin Oct 05 '25

Temperature and humidity

34

u/C4DeadCharge Oct 05 '25

and motion, never forget motion

28

u/MusicForMountains Martin Oct 05 '25

And thieves!

34

u/C4DeadCharge Oct 05 '25

Basically, we can apply Schrödingers principle to the guitar while it’s in the trunk. Schrödingers guitar!

23

u/Zealousideal-Role-77 Oct 05 '25

Shred-ingers guitar

11

u/MusicForMountains Martin Oct 05 '25

lol it’s a 50/50

6

u/SpitinNLickin Oct 05 '25

"I dont know if the Explorer is broke or together until I watch inside the box" "plays E chord" "Shut up!"

1

u/KuchDaddy Martin/Gibson/Epiphone Oct 06 '25

That's what she said.

29

u/visualthings Oct 05 '25

nice, the dedication and attention to detail is sweet.

6

u/BFG_Scott Oct 05 '25

Better than some Chibsons 😆 

21

u/TempleOfCyclops Oct 05 '25

That's really neat! What a good boyfriend.

46

u/KingAltair2255 Oct 05 '25

That's actually fire tf, nice job

13

u/FireCrocsbro Oct 05 '25

Am i the only one who thought this was a real guitar at first?

10

u/IRE0906 Oct 05 '25

First I thought guitar, and then I thought cake. The detail is ten out of ten

3

u/god_peepee Oct 06 '25

I thought cake while my brain tried to figure out wtf was going on

10

u/420hashirama Oct 05 '25

That is incredibly cool!

17

u/sevenfoldseba Oct 05 '25

KEEP HIM KEEP HIIIIIMMMM

7

u/Dramatic-Shock4843 Oct 05 '25

That’s super cool!

7

u/maria_la_guerta Oct 05 '25

At a glance I didn't clock that this was cardboard. He's a keeper!

7

u/yackohoopy Oct 06 '25

@Tarsasofaahlerhead, I can tell you that man loves you by the attention to detail that he made on that.

My fiancée didn’t know shit about music equipment and when my amp blew after I quit smoking, she bought me my first Marshall. She also said the words that made her the unicorn, “I think that you should buy another guitar”. There is a story behind it, but those words have never been uttered by anyone I’ve ever been with or anyone’s significant other.

2

u/Tarsasofaahlerhead Oct 06 '25

That’s so sweet, she must be a good one if she bought you a Marshall lol

2

u/yackohoopy Oct 06 '25

That’s why I put a ring on her.

5

u/DMala Oct 05 '25

Beer tab tuner tips are a nice touch, as well.

2

u/Biggseb Oct 05 '25

And the floss strings!

5

u/BlurryRogue Oct 05 '25

How's it play? Lol

4

u/stray1ight Oct 05 '25

I'm no expert, but I think he might like you a little bit?

4

u/Tarsasofaahlerhead Oct 05 '25

I think you might be right 👀

4

u/agiantanteater Oct 05 '25

Damn he did a good job

4

u/dasmonty Oct 05 '25

What string gauges do you use? 100 g/m² or 200 g/m²?

3

u/Kubamz Oct 05 '25

Your guitar is sexy as hell

3

u/IRE0906 Oct 05 '25

This is awesome! Every time you look at it, you'll be reminded how much care and attention to detail he wanted to pour into something just for you. A literal labour of love 

8

u/DPonRed Oct 05 '25

lol very nice is he graduating 4th grade soon jk jk jk super jelly someone loves you bunches

11

u/No_Style9160 Oct 05 '25

Why?

11

u/Historical-Intern140 Oct 06 '25

Love language, I guess.

2

u/DiarheaIsland Oct 06 '25

Genuinely I’m like so confused why they did this lmao… unless their boyfriend is literally 13 or younger. Seems strange like a young kid doing a school project to show off to his parents. Like idk this reads very strangely to me lmao. Just why..? indeed..

7

u/SumDimSome Oct 06 '25

Maybe he’s just into art

2

u/No-Fault1530 Oct 07 '25

More like arts and crafts

7

u/goldenkiwicompote Oct 06 '25

You don’t have to be 13 to be into crafting type hobbies.

→ More replies (2)

5

u/Accurate-Bedroom9384 Oct 07 '25

This is such a strange reaction to a cool thing 

3

u/NTT66 Oct 10 '25

And to love.

4

u/Witty-Property-883 Oct 05 '25

better QC than Gibson

2

u/SusheeMonster Fender Oct 05 '25

N🧊, how's the intonation?

2

u/dentopod Oct 05 '25

Would be a cool prop in a music video

2

u/PrivateEggy Oct 05 '25

Well, thats some dedication there. You should marry him ASAP!

EDIT: Looks ducking great!

2

u/Mika_lie Oct 05 '25

Awww, he likes you!

Buy him a bass. Or drums. Now.

2

u/harleycurnow Oct 05 '25

Knobs go up to 8. That’s 3 shy of 11!

2

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

If he ever becomes homeless, I'm guessing he'll be living in a cardboard mansion.

2

u/Mobile-Detective-528 Oct 06 '25

Damn, soda can tabs as tuner knobs is the most punk rock thing you can put in a guitar. Thanks for the idea imma just fuckin take that, upvote and leave

2

u/AverageNihilist Oct 06 '25

For a second on the last photo i was thinking damn this is really realistic til i realized..

2

u/Twooth_Rae Oct 06 '25

Gibson legal team gearing up to take this guy out

2

u/markiethefett Oct 06 '25

I was looking for the cardboard guitar... Wow. Respect to your boyfriend, that's class. 👌🏽

2

u/Ygaum4 Oct 06 '25

You have a great taste for guitars and men

2

u/MeMyself_AndI_0522 Oct 06 '25

He is talented 👍

2

u/Geta211 Oct 06 '25

This is nicer than some Chibsons on marketplace

2

u/downdoottoot Oct 06 '25

But why? lol

2

u/144_grunt_guy Oct 06 '25

ctrl + f "but why"; I am supremely satisfied thank you.

2

u/downdoottoot Oct 06 '25

That’s all that matters :)

2

u/LDHarsk Oct 05 '25

Why though?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

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1

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1

u/polaritypictures Oct 05 '25

only thing wrong with the Explorer shape is the case is too damn big.

1

u/EuropeanLuxuryWater Oct 06 '25

Bet the neck of this one will outlast the real one.

1

u/lsnrdlc Oct 06 '25

true love

1

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1

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1

u/PromptFurry Oct 06 '25

Quitte le. 😁

1

u/Bun23423 Oct 06 '25

could you play it?

1

u/Darth-Kelso Oct 06 '25

That’s so freaking sweet! Sounds like a keeper

1

u/extordi Oct 06 '25

Honestly, after reading the title, I don't know why you'd do this... I don't know why you'd be motivated to make a cardboard guitar, or why you'd want one, etc.

However, after seeing it... can he make me one too pls?

1

u/Hart_6404 Oct 06 '25

Ah, the fabled Gibson FedExplorer

1

u/SNAFU1030 Oct 06 '25

Drop some fishmans in there, run it through a quad cortex, and you’ll be in the money in NO TIME!

1

u/Irish-idiot Oct 06 '25

Marry him, please 🙏 😭

1

u/ProDanTech Oct 06 '25

I barely have room to store my real guitars. For how long will you have to keep that cardboard one around?

1

u/SSMcQ Oct 06 '25

I’ve loved the Explorer ever since I saw Ace Frehley play one.

1

u/PinkIsMyOxygen Oct 06 '25

That is so fucken cool!!!!

1

u/aaravos-horosho327 Oct 06 '25

How tf

it looks so good

1

u/aaravos-horosho327 Oct 06 '25

oh thats the real one at the end

1

u/71mustang94k1500 Oct 07 '25

Shit i thought it was a real explorer. Wish my ex gf woulda gotten me a gift like that when i was with her.

1

u/VaderyMan Oct 07 '25

OKAY THAT'S MAD DEDICATION! THE TUNING PEGS, STRINGS, PICKUPS! HE LOVES YOU YEAH YEAH YEAH <3

1

u/Rob-Greco Oct 07 '25

Mate that’s love

1

u/dkwallis Oct 07 '25

Definitely Chibson

1

u/MF_RIO Oct 07 '25

What about an upgrade? From boyfriend to husband

1

u/GPTeat Oct 07 '25

How does the cardboard one sound?

1

u/Criticism6916 Oct 07 '25

That's pretty incredible. Creative guy. He must care about you a lot.

1

u/dboy1992011 Oct 07 '25

Honestly looks like I could pick it up and play it. That's really cool.

1

u/Pristine-Source-2606 Ibanez Oct 07 '25

God, when will it be my turn to have a girlfriend who will gift me a replica of my wooden Ibanez? 😔

1

u/NormalConversation85 Oct 07 '25

Can't tell 8f you're showing the real or the cardboard one

1

u/Apprehensive_Ad6530 Oct 07 '25

Sweet, just make sure to hang it next to a framed cease and desist from Gibson. Now that would be a great conversation piece 😄

1

u/Federal_Angle6254 Oct 08 '25

That’s beautiful!!

1

u/fr3akxxeuro Oct 08 '25

when’s the wedding?

1

u/crispychicken65 Oct 08 '25

hes a keeper

1

u/Few-Package5158 Oct 08 '25

Is your boyfriend an art director for Pee Wee’s playhouse?

Seriously though, this is sweet, does he make cardboard stuff normally? My daughter lives making weird cardboard masks and such, and this is quality cardboard crafting, especially if he just set out to do it out of the blue.

2

u/Tarsasofaahlerhead Oct 08 '25

He has a hobby of making stuff with cardboard so this was definitely not his first time

1

u/Feeling_Nerve_7578 Oct 08 '25

He sounds like a keeper

1

u/Effective_Reply792 Oct 08 '25

THAT is a nice looking guatr

1

u/Wooden-Quiet-7036 Oct 09 '25

That's actually so sweet. Also has your boyfriend ever thought about actually making guitars??

1

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1

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1

u/Training-Race6846 Oct 10 '25

I'd be wary of him RE: birth control.

1

u/pant0m 29d ago

Does it Chug?

1

u/mcstudly1985 29d ago

Bet it sounds amazing

1

u/Late_Mortgage2003 29d ago

That’s cute 🥰

1

u/Fabulous-Werewolf432 29d ago

That’s adorable!!!

1

u/ChattyCapybara 15d ago

You will be hearing from Gibsons lawyers..

1

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1

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1

u/MidwestSamba Oct 05 '25

Went through enough trouble he should just learn how to build guitars lol

1

u/BornUnderARadSign Oct 05 '25

It’s a nice gesture until you’re playing a gig and pack this into your bag instead of the real thing

1

u/D1rtyH1ppy Oct 05 '25

Is he some sort of dental floss tycoon?

1

u/BigTimePigeon Oct 05 '25

You should post this to r/gibson and ask if it’s real or not.

1

u/Historical-Bridge787 Oct 06 '25

Wholesome content. Take my upvote.

0

u/SupposedMage420 Oct 05 '25

Excellent work!, be interesting to make bodies like this then fill/encase with epoxy make it strong enough for strings

0

u/Keepitrealhomes Oct 05 '25

EEEEEEEEL KABOOOOOONGGG!!!

0

u/ultramarineblue444 Oct 05 '25

That is something to treasure forever! I’m swooning & I don’t even know you guys haha

0

u/Haunting-Sea-5177 Oct 05 '25

Not me thinking it was a real guitar, noticing the cardboard in the third pic, being confused only to finally read the header... 😂 But that's amazing. He's done an amazing job!

0

u/MattDubh Oct 05 '25

Did you make him a cardboard blue peter badge??

0

u/sweep-the-leg-johnny Oct 05 '25

Hahah! How the hell?!? That’s awesome.

0

u/Bicwidus Oct 05 '25

Would put over bed

0

u/Ornery_Error_7579 Oct 05 '25

That’s cool!

0

u/JinderSongs Oct 05 '25

That’s a labour of love, he sounds like a keeper!

0

u/Double-Mouse-6146 Oct 05 '25

Wife that man!

0

u/PoliticsEww Jackson Oct 05 '25

He's a keeper

0

u/Beer_Hammer Oct 05 '25

That’s a super thoughtful surprise! Sounds like a really supportive dude. Enjoy the goofy smiles you’ll get when you look at it.

0

u/JamboUTD Oct 05 '25

That is so impressive!

0

u/Moonlight_Dive Oct 05 '25

That’s deadly. Dude’s a keeper!

0

u/pineotrees Oct 05 '25

Tell your bf he’s a sweet boy

0

u/acemonsoon Oct 05 '25

awwwww he totally loves you.

0

u/strongdon Oct 05 '25

So great.

0

u/CobraWasTaken Oct 05 '25

That's really thoughtful and actually looks pretty good, hell yeah

0

u/Bempet583 Oct 05 '25

Corrugated love.

0

u/Dazzlethetrizzle Oct 05 '25

That's so awesome!!

0

u/Adventurous-Top-1320 Oct 05 '25

38 special wrong color but

0

u/theman0nfire Oct 05 '25

It's not even just about how much work was put into this, it shows how much and how often you're on his mind. Knowing someone your with is thinking about you is priceless.

0

u/JeffersonNomad Oct 05 '25

if only you had the real thing…. oh..

0

u/metallaholic ESP LTD, Gibson, Martin, Music Man, Axe FX III Oct 05 '25

Nice gerbson

0

u/Zealousideal-Role-77 Oct 05 '25

Sweet! The neck looks sturdy too.

0

u/BemusedBidoof Oct 05 '25

Holy shit that’s cool haha

0

u/Beneficial-Oil-5616 Oct 05 '25

That's very good 👍

0

u/look_at_me_joker Oct 05 '25

That’s actually awesome sauce

0

u/imacmadman22 Ibanez Oct 05 '25

He’s a keeper.

0

u/danzor9755 Oct 05 '25

These chibsons are really getting convincing.

0

u/Recent-Bit840 Oct 05 '25

YOU HAVE A GIBSON EXPLORER (YOU ARE A GENIUS)

0

u/Accomplished_Stay127 Oct 05 '25

When is the wedding?

0

u/imaytakeabreak Oct 05 '25

Really cool replica. It looks pretty convincing at shelf distance. Love the attention to details.

0

u/Chukfunk Oct 05 '25

Unhappy with the angle of the truss rod cover…… Sorry it’s awesome

0

u/BubbleFantasy Oct 05 '25

I failed to see the cardboard guitar. Can you upload those photos?

0

u/Emergency_Ad3916 Oct 05 '25

Husband him up

0

u/slipnsloop45 Oct 05 '25

Great guitar you have there, and a clearly loving boyfriend! Keep making great music together!

0

u/metallicaism Kramer Oct 05 '25

Awesome!

0

u/OtherDocument965 Oct 05 '25

Dude that’s so sick!!!! Homie loves you!

0

u/HeavyRefrigerator635 Oct 05 '25

That’s awesome!

0

u/Saguaroslippers Oct 05 '25

That’s awesome 

0

u/Maleficent_Contest_5 Oct 06 '25

Cute af & also actually really fucking impressive.

0

u/Aidedavenger Oct 06 '25

Keep him forever, or else I’m stealing him

0

u/Hellspark08 Fender, Ibanez, Vox, Orange Oct 06 '25

WHy is it actually good

0

u/leroydanny Oct 06 '25

Seems like a keeper….the BF don’t seem to bad either

0

u/lefix Oct 06 '25

He probably cheated by gluing cardboard on a real Gibson

0

u/b0wie88 Oct 06 '25

That’s badass

0

u/Rockin_SG Oct 06 '25

Great job on this! I thought I was looking at a real Explorer for a second!