Coffee Table Guitar Display Case
Any guitar players or lovers out there that would be interested in a guitar display case that is actually a coffee table?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Miller on -
Ben - sure these kinds of ideas can find a ready audience. I've always been a sucker for furniture, cars, hobbies, and work spaces that are different and unique.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on -
Thanks for your input Dan! I'm also thinking of how I can sell these. I have had an idea of making lots of different coffee tables, most out of old furniture/materials. Do you think a niche coffee table business would work? I've also thought about making a site all about coffee and I could sell the table from that but possibly also make passive income as an affiliate selling coffee products. Do you think that could work or would it distract too much from the tables? Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Blake Taylor on -
I am intrigued. I'm also playing with the idea of getting into some furniture making but with a different spin. What else can you tell us about your idea?
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on
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Hi Blake. Thanks for the interest! I'm hopefully going to make a prototype soon. I think I've settled on a plexiglass top to show off the guitar. From there I've mostly thought of a wood display case underneath that with probably wood legs as well. I've also thought of maybe getting a little more artsy with it and using guitar necks as legs (which is from my original idea of using an actual guitar(s) and its parts for a coffee table, but I like the idea of displaying a usable guitar better I think). Otherwise, I thought of maybe going as clear as possible, but I'm not sure I like that. Also, I'd love to have the top flip up on a hinge so you can easily get it out to play or switch guitars. The only similar thing I've seen is a glass top with cheap looking metal legs that also support the guitar, but I think that the guitar needs more protection than just sitting underneath a glass top.
Thoughts?
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Permalink Reply by Chris Sutton on -
Ben I like the idea. I am not a guitar lover but know those who are and can see them purchasing something like this. Usually they have to store their guitars in a spare room to avoid getting damaged.
Having the glass top open up is a great idea. I picture it much like the old stereo glass fronts that you push on and then the glass opens enough to get your fingers under.
Yes, a very cool idea. Are you making a prototype?
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on
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Yeah I definitely am. I'm hoping to decide on materials through this discussion. Any suggestions? I may go with a wood case unless I get a better suggestion.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Sutton on
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Well, I am a fan of wood. Cherry to be exact. Do you already have a favorite material to work with? This is probably your best choice to start with.
From a quality standpoint I would prefer a glass top as opposed to plexiglass.
Guitar necks as legs sounds interesting. That might look really neat.
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Permalink Reply by Blake Taylor on
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I like where you're heading. I was thinking for the inside you could make it look like the inside of a guitar case with different colors of felt or velvet for protection and aesthetics. Maybe a pull open pocket for extra picks or tuner or capo (like the real thing).
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on
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Great idea!
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Permalink Reply by Will Burgin on -
Ben,
I own Guitars Etc in Athens, TX (Guitars Etc Facebook Page) and I know many people that would be interested. Here's a couple of ideas to maybe get some sold:1. Offer them on consignment at a local store. I display coffee table with my concert memorabilia in our "jam lounge" that everyone loves and have asked where I got, so I know if I had one in my store it would be gone pretty quickly. I have a taterbug mandolin and a banjilin (really old handmade instruments) that I'd love to have a smaller end table to display them in standing upright with a coffee table top (I've even considered emptying out a large aquarium and building a nice wood casing around it to reach my goal of displaying them, but it seems my children like their fish.
2. You may get the word out quick by attending bluegrass festivals and other music festivals, where people really love their art and spend money to attend them. I know bluegrass players tend to be a little older and have a little more money saved up as well as have very nice instruments. We host a "Fiddler's Reunion" in Athens, TX every year and it brings in about 2500 bluegrass and fiddle fans to our downtown square that we only see once a year and it does well for my store.
3. I know there are several specialty distributors of music items such as this. Message me on here and when I'm at my office I'll shoot you some companies to look into. I know as a member of the iMSO (independent Music store Owners) we have our own private distribution channel that may be the best resource.
Best wishes and if you ever decide to
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on
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Thanks Will! I sent you a friend request.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Siemens on
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Update on making the prototype:
I've been advised to use glass instead of acrylic by an expert, which will force me to change my intended design (basically a case with an acrylic top on hinges that would extend past the edges of the case a few inches all around, and you could lift it up and get the guitar out easily)
With a glass top I will have to put the hinges right on the edge because it's a clamp on hinge, so I would be making the glass the exact size to fit on the edges of the case with no overlap, which I believe will be a little weird looking.
The alternative would be to have a "fixed" top and side access to guitar.
Is the top flipping up or the aesthetics of the top a bigger deal?
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