Crooked Neck has a circuit bent drum machine & 2 battery powered amps built-in. The speakers for the amps are behind the blue & grey circles on the body.

Or does your adventure choose you?

If you’re an artist, usually a bit of both.

Ben Simon makes wonderfully whimsical and unique handcrafted electric guitars and other instruments.

After growing up all over the East Coast, he landed for a time in the Carolinas — a region with a rich history in woodworking — and immersed himself in learning the craft at Burch Company Wood Studio.

As a musician, Simon noticed that some of the more elaborate cutting boards he was working on were reminiscent of electric guitar bodies.

Taking 2 and 2 apart, he deconstructed an electric guitar, did some research, and in 2006 crafted his first custom instrument.

He went on to twice tour Europe playing self-built guitars and basses with his band Get the People.

The instruments themselves have evolved over the years. One was made using 18 different types of wood.

The repertoire is also no longer limited to guitars; pieces have been built that incorporate synths, drums, speakers and amps.

Bass made with exotic hardwoods

A true artist, one of Ben’s goals is to teach, and spread his specialized knowledge and discoveries.

As a member of the Brooklyn artist community center 3rd Ward (which it so cool that it gives all of its members free bicycles — yes, free bikes), Simon has access to a full woodworking studio.

He’s working on an instrument building program for disadvantaged youth featuring small classes there.

(This should be very popular with kids, who will see tangible, usable results from their hard work.)

To own your own one-of-a-kind musical art piece, you can consult with Ben (bensimonmusic@gmail.com) and discuss types of wood, shapes, hardware and more.

Prices start as low as $500.

Check out more photos below after the jump, or on his Flickr stream.

The adventure’s just begun.

Busking with the Guitar2D2 - an instrument with a built-in drum machine, keyboard, effects and amps.

Guitar made from wood streaked by the ambrosia beetle as it burrows through maple trees, with a a semi-hollow body and little handpainted figures of people inlaid into the front. The word 'people' cut into the front acts like the 'f holes' on a violin.

Simon's first guitar, with 18 types of wood, has accompanied him to Europe twice.

Made for -- well -- Dave Simon.

Thunderstorm has a speaker built-in and a sound circuit that makes a thunder clap sound.

[via Thrillist]

Electric violins have come in a wide assortment of shapes and styles for some time, and there’s even a very interesting looking (but badly named) Squidolin, a digital instrument designed to help novices learn how to play.

But the sleek black Gavari neo-violin appears to be one of the first re-imagined acoustic versions.

It’s set to be presented at the end of the month at Tokyo Design Week, where hopefully some live performances will take place.

Interested to know how it sounds; is it comparable to the baroque versions that have held court for over 500 years?

Hopfgartner hopes so: “Maybe it will change the classical music business,” she writes.

Beautiful curves –> beautiful music?

[via Core77]