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| HOME/MENU | OUR SHOP | PUNKRODS | PUNK BASSES |
| MANIFESTO | TRAVELERS | EXOTICUSTOM | TOUCHSTYLE |
| ARTISTS | OWNERS | LINKS | TESTIMONIALS |
| KRAPWEAR | AUDIO/VIDEO | PRICING | CONTACT |
| post? what? Oh, OK, here:
"It is cool when Kevin Siebold plays the guitar. He has a cool way of
standing and playing, and he plays very well (uses pinky when playing lead,
etc.), and sometimes he gets a cool look on his face when he is playing
(like he knows how it's going to sound even before it comes out - that may
not seem that impressive, but Jerry Bear never managed it, and he made a
handsome living with his playing for many years, which is cool). His
guitars which he makes himself are cool. Does all this make Kevin Siebold
cool? Ummm..." DP from Byram NJ |
i don't own a krappy guitar, but i want one... why you
ask? because i heard the queen of england has one that
looks like underwear, and because they are totally
radical thrashing machines of musical glory...
ps... i really want a krappy guitar.... i'm not sure
exactly but i think i want it shaped like an
anchor. MA from Mine Hill NJ |
I do give the guy credit.....he does not appear to take himself too seriously,
a trait in short supply in some circles. RJG from ND |
| Why do you call them krappy guitars? they're not krappy they're krazy!
Its also krazy how you make all the guitars yourself. and it was krazy when you
played the axe guitar during lessons--it's all power chords--alot of the songs i like
are all power chords. SS from Jefferson NJ |
Kevin Siebold made me a bass and is a great guy to work with. JK from Lexington OH |
I don't know, but he's got a real Rasputin vibe about him. DG from the US |
| My band is working on new material and a new cd and I'd love to hit the
stage with your axes. This would be fun! TL from Ontario Canada |
this instrument would be the most ideal for sticking in a bag for
motorcycle transport, what do you think? The purpose of this guitar will be
predominantly pedagogical, so the 'Sesame Street' numbering scheme on the
fretboard is ideal. You may have thought I was busting your chops about that
when I first saw the prototype, but I really covet this instrument. JE from Newton NJ |
I could not be any happier with my specially made 6+6 touchstyle
(uncrossed, mirrored fourths, bass on the sides tuning). Special
orders no problem for Kevin. It has good tone and is easy to play even
for someone like me who never played guitar before. I live about 10
miles from three touchstyle guitar manufacturers, but I preferred to have
Kevin make mine and ship it all the way from NJ to CA!!!! JH from Moorpark CA |
| Just browse though the page. It's funny because it's real. I might order a
1 string bass shaped like a shotgun. Or I might order a travel neckthru bass with
detatchable wings. I want to get a vagina guitar, that would be fun. E from St. Clair Shores MI |
i like the site! i like the "eat my shorts" axe. just thought i'd let you know!
RS from Kenvil NJ |
yeah son, im down. i may just have to hit you up on that bad mother. sounds
like a fine chunk'o'funk. when this soul brotha gets arround to it, you
might just catch a holla 100 dolla on the flipside. and on just on the
downlow, you know, can these machines funk like no otha, has a brother tried
to slap a funky groove? SF from the US |
| Well first of all, WOW!--LOL i'd like to say your site is awsome! JA from the US |
I got the guitar today--very cool, very satisfied. I like the rugged look
of the wood and aluminum. EH from Berkely CA |
I threw-up a little bit in my mouth when I saw these things. C from Ft. Worth TX |
| Very amusing. If I was a punk rocker I might be insulted,
or I'd think it was the coolest thing since downtuning. DNA from Aurora CO |
I almost pissed myself. DB from Lawndale CA |
Dear Krapmeister, I recently came across your website, and after wiping down
the computer, took a moment to look through your range of Krappy basses.
I've been a professional bassist and double bassist for over twenty years and
in all that time I have never seen such a splendid range of utter $#%+. I recently
purchased a fine example of a early 18th century English bass by Thomas Kennedy.
What a twit! I realise now (all too late, of course) that what I should have done
was bought 623 Krappy basses instead!!! Sir KS from the UK |
| The Guitars arrived today, thank you very much - they look great! I just wanted to
say thanks for how you handled all this - from working with us on the designs through
to sending us photos of the work in progress - through to payment and delivery...
It's been a pleasure. PM from the UK |
Krappy? No. Extreme? YES! Don’t let the manifesto fool you, this is serious. If you’ve
ever owned or seen one of his custom axes, or heard Kevin play one of the
touch styles or even a punk rod that he’s constructed (which he plays in his band
Roamin Gabriels on a tune or 2) you’d agree, this is no joke. I’ve known Kevin for
many years now, I jam with him every Thursday night and there is never any
bull$#%+ to anything he does. In fact, quite the contrary! I’m trying to convince him
to up his prices and almost have him convinced, so buy while they’re unreasonably
low priced! I’m also trying to get him to spin off a high-end line of instruments
(like he did with his Touch Styles) – check out his audio/video page and have a
listen yourself. MP from Long Valley NJ |
Got some better pics? I'm interested in a 2 string Paul rod, but the pic on your site
looks like it was taken by Stevie Wonder. PB from New Haven CT |
| Dear krapmeister, I was directed to your site this morning by my friend and fellow
bass builder. Love cannot express the depth of emotion welling up in my heart and
BOWELS at the site of your extraordinary creations. I'm putting a link to your website
on my links page. Your work is truly under-appreciated. I hope you never have to
raise your prices but I fear that success will encroach on your happy existence.
Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you. You have really inspired
me to get off my highfalutin' @$$ and start building affordable bass guitars again.
Thanks and warmest regards. DJK from Portland OR |
greetings--I'm a luthier (which means I charge more than 1000 bucks for an
instrument) and I teach guitar building /woodworking at a high school on outer
Cape Cod. I stumbled on your site and I have to say, it's wonderful. thanks for a
good friday afternoon chuckle! KH from Cape Cod MA |
Seeing those Krappy Guitars made me go into hysterics! RK from the US |
| The mini sounds and looks great. Very compact. Nice idea on the fake body
wing. I'm actually a little amazed at how good it sounds. Very nice finish. EH from Berkeley CA |
You are a king! This is a beautiful and great site, THE PRICES ARE HEAVEN. You did
steal my fish tank idea, but because you are not a "custom guitar rapist", I forgive you.
Again YOU ARE A KING!!! ER from the US |
I take guitar lessons from Kevin the Krapmeister. After 3 short months I now
suck significantly less than I have my 20 years of playing. After just one
lesson, my 6 year old son plays much less horribly than he had before. We
both aspire to play with style and grace like Kevin Siebold. Not only is he
a fine craftsman, he's the 2nd smartest person I know. BC - From Succasunna NJ |
| I got the bass... it sure is krappy. I'm gonna scare the crap out of a band I'm supposed
to audition for. I'll have more to say about the bass soon... I'll send you some photos
of myself with the bass, too - I have a very scary image. Thanks for getting this done
in time and so cheaply. PK from Poland |
The guitar has arrived! I received it this morning, very well packaged. The guitar is an absolute beauty! It looks and plays amazingly, and it sounds very rich and full in tone. you must be a very talented luthier to build something as good as this. Thank you very very much, i'm very happy with my new guitar! MM from the UK | I bought my first krappy touch-style guitar (aka "The Beast") over a year and a half ago. It was one of the first ones made and let me tell you...It is krappy, but simply AMAZING. I had been taking lessons from Kevin Siebold since I was in diapers and let me tell you the touch guitar has been an incredible addition to my tupperware parties. I think a new higher-end krappy model is long over due. Thanks Kev the Krapmeister. KF from Boston MA |
| i will be SURE to put in pics of you with the instrument. that is actually the hardest thing to get from the recipient...i cant tell you how
how many people said "yeah, i will definitely send you a pic for the owners page" and never
followed through...out of sight, out of mind, i guess... KS from Hackettstown NJ |
my motto--if you cant dig it out of a dumpster, it is too good for your guitar. KS from Hackettstown NJ |
the wood i have is cosmetically appealing, but not exotic. ;) KS from Hackettstown NJ |
| Kevin, I just got the bass, this is too f'ing cool! It got here yesterday. I'm impressed with the way you've made the string holder and bridge. Nice bit of innovation, many thanks! AS from Riverside CA |
Greetings. I just ran across your site today. Looks interesting. I was doing a search, looking for guitar/bass doublenecks, and came across your site. To my mind, anything with the name "Krappy" HAS to be investigated! RR from Seattle WA |
first of all i love it! i can not think of anything more beautiful then that touchstyle. i can not wait for the finished product! JW from Madison NJ |
| the video clip is riveting. Its like Norm Abrams in a helium cloud after a lobotomy... GS from Succasunna NJ |
Hi, I'm a guitarist who very recently decided to delve into the forbidden realms of touchstle playing. Why forbidden? Because up to now I find most instruments way too expensive, since I'm still a student and the few odd jobs I do don't leave me with a great budget... MS from Italy |
Hey, I'm his Mom... really! Buy his guitars, feed the grandchildren!
Love, Mom. MS from Mt Hope NJ |
| Hi Kevin, just a quick email to say the instrument has arrived
safe and sound. It's absolutely great and fantastic cheers :)
I've been on holiday in Ireland so could not send a thanks until now.
When I get some time over the next couple of days,
I'll forward on some pics for your website. So much to do,
so little time..... DP from the UK |
Hello! I bought a 5+7 Touchstyle Guitar off of ebay 1 year ago from you. The
thing is awesome, I have learned a lot from it... AW from Rockford IL |
I didn't overpay you, I just paid you closer to what your work is
worth. but you can send me a t-shirt if you want. I'd love to have
one And just tell generally people how cool i am. that would be
great!!! MT from Eldorado Springs CO |
| Your site is hysterical! You're like the monty python guitar maker. Cool $#!+. JS from Roxbury NJ |
Hi Kevin,
just wanted to let you know that the Touch guitar arrived safely. It's
very nice. I'll take a picture soon of me playing it and send it off to
you HB from Woodland Hills CA |
I received the 6+6 touchstyle yesterday. I played it until 2:00 a.m. I am thoroughly pleased. Did you make the bridge? If so, very nice. I really like the choice of woods. It has a warm sound without weighing a ton. I think that I will have you make me another one next year... VS from Louisville TN |
| Hi Kevin, I'm quite amazed by the speed of int'l postal service, but the touch-guitar
arrived today!!! This was quite unexpected and a very nice christmas present, thanks. I've only had time for a 15-minutes try-session. First impression is
good, although I think it could do with a truss rod adjustment.
I'm leaving for a few days, so I'll not be able to play it more until
after Christmas. I'll send you more impressions and pix then. Best regards and a Merry Christmas,
MA from Switzerland |
Where's a cigar? I'm a daddy !!!!!!
Wow, so far very impressed. The body is much smaller than I thought, and the fretboard much larger. It looks fantastic. Rigging a strap up as the left hand is giving me fits with bass chords but it sounds terrific. The EMG's are hotter than I expected. I need to bring up my better bass amp from the 'bass'ment... (David/Eden system) and think I'll run the melody through my JBL EON power instead of a guitar amp... RC from Bennett CO |
Got it! All in one piece too. USPS works really well.
First things that strikes me; it looks really cool. And its way lighter that one would think! It hangs really well on the body. The shape of the neck works really well for uncrossed playing, since the thumb rests more naturally on the neck. Also the bridge is awsome. Didnt get until now that you actually makes these yourself.
Theres some relief in the neck on the melody side and i will have to get the right wrench in the store, since i don't have one that fits st home. no problem. I take it that tightening the truss straightens the neck, right? GO from Norway |
| YEAH!!!!!! My friend landed on sunday, but I wasn't able to get my greedy hands on it before yesterday morning. I then spent at least 12 hours in these 2 days making acquaintances with it, so that I could tell you what I thought: I am satisfied beyond words, the instrument is beautiful, very well crafted, and the way you put the strap buttons keeps it vertical and well balanced. As far as sound goes, I plugged into my guitar amp (a Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12) and I must say it sounds really impressive! I wouldn't know if it sounds better/worse than the "branded" ones (never had the occasion to hear another touchstyle instrument live), but it surely sounds GOOD. I especially like how the bass set sounds, even on a guitar amp: tonight I'll go to some friends' rehearsals to plug it into an Ampeg monster head and into a Mesa Double Rectifier, just to see :) shame I can't really play it (but I'm working on it!)
I'll definitely sing your praises throughout the Net, it really was a pleasure to "do business" with you... MS from Italy |
yeah so I want a thrasher kind of guerrilla thing with either 4 or 6 strings or maybe a touchstyle: (I'm not only a mediocre guitar player, I'm also a fairly bad touch player) with onboard effects. I would provide (substandard) stompboxes and maybe they could just be stapled or rivited or otherwise adhered to the guitar? I don't really know, as it's just sort of a fever dream I've been having lately. Trying to get ideas and your stuff seems to suit the fun but low-rent type of vibe I'm looking for. If you're of a mind, please let me know what you think of this whole proposed mess. Until then, Excelsior! TC in Sacramento CA |
Kevin, I am sincerely BLOWN AWAY with the Punk Bass you created for me. What you have done for $100 is nothing short of amazing. In my opinion, you are an extremely talented luthier and are selling yourself short calling your instruments "Krappy Guitars". The bass has that fretless growl and bite and your choice of design, materials and finish is Top Notch. The gun stock type oil finish on my "Wenge Wonder" feels awesome. I was proud to see it on your web site. I plan on adding other Krappy Instruments to my arsenal and will proudly show them off to everyone!
Thank You for doing what you do. It clearly shows this is a labor of love for you.
my doubts about the 2 hand coordination have kept me back--however, your prices and quality of work make it possible to enter the realm of Touch Style Guitar without mortgaging the ranch!
Thanks Again Kevin. As you may guess, I am more than happy. A photo will be forthcoming.
SP from Bronxville NY |
| I got my Krappy today! I see you named it Incisor on your web site. I love it! Thanks so much. Also thanks for the shirt. i will wear it proudly. Are you able to make a touchstyle instrument with a 30" scale? If you are, I may have an idea for Incisor II. Have a great day! JS from Beverly Hills CA |
The guitar is perfect...It's size, feel, everything..Thanks again... LG in Miami FL |
Okay, Mr. "Krappy". Great action, cool wood, unique tone. What's crappy about this? Out of the 137 1/2 two-string basses I have had custom made, this is definitely the second or third best. All kidding aside, it's a great instrument. Looks great, sounds great, plays great. I will be thinking up weird stuff for you to make me in future, hopefully before you (justifiably) raise your ridiculous prices. Thanks and you'll have pictures soon. For some reason, the guy who built my $100 custom 2-string digital camera didn't do such a hot job as you did. Thanks Again!! TC in Sacramento CA |
| hey! just to let you know the bass has arrived! and there has been much joy! we'll send some photos to you soon, thanks so much! DD from Warwickshire UK |
i got the bass in the mail Friday and have been fiddling with it since. Looks great and sounds pretty damn good as well. the rosin wheel is one of the coolest toys of all time, a fine piece of machinery. I'll be sure to send a few pics soon. Cheers! DO in Clearwater FL |
Hey, I'm the guy the "fretless with thumbrest" was built for. I'd just like you to know that I used it in a band situation for the first time last night, and it performed brilliantly and I was the envy of all my band mates with their "more than 2 strings", "frets" and "bodies". Well screw them, my bass is a piece of Krap, and I LOVE it. thank you for building an instrument of this callibre and there'll be another order coming your way in the not so distant future... AC from Warwickshire UK |
| I see from your site that the cost you list is a bargain. I was wondering, would you consider a barter of services for some of the cost of instrument? I am a massage therapist and would gladly trade a number of massages for you and your wife for an agreed upon portion of the cost of the instrument... JO in Hoboken NJ |
Okay, so last night I got to really put 'er through the paces at rehearsal. Prior to that, I had only played it for 10 minutes on my couch and 3 minutes at the roller derby for the photo. Wow! I LOOOOOOOVE it! It plays like a dream and the sound is amazing. The growl is unbelieveable - the guitar player (who is really a bass player) kept laughing and looking over at me, "I CAN'T believe ALL that sound is coming out of that broomstick!". We all decided that I should use it in our "banjo metal" section - Guns-n-Roses, Priest, and Crue songs all played on banjo. So now I gotta bring both the Krappy and the upright to some of our gigs! We don't do it at every gig, just when we have the whole night and the mood strikes. Once again, I can't thank you enough for this wonderful instrument - Cheers! FB from Lk. Hopatcong NJ |
I got the bridge a couple days ago.. It looks great and it seems like it'll work perfectly.. Thanks alot for your help and for building that... I have fellow artists that enjoy building instruments like I do, so if theres ever an opportunity I'll definitely throw the business your way... It probably doesnt mean a whole lot to you monetarily but still.. I'll surely be giving good reviews of your service..Thanks KF in Louisville KY |
| Hi kevin,
The instrument arrived thursday morning and it was well packaged!!!
It looks very very beautiful and the sound is good, you are really a great luthier kevin!
Thank you very much..
I'll send you a photo for your site soon..
Thanks for the orange krapshirt, I'll wear it proudly!
GA from ITALY |
Hey Kevin I received my guitar today, just want to say how much i love it, it's a great instrument im very happy with it. I Can't thank you enough. Have a Happy New Year... DC from Hercules CA |
the neck {JustaNek} arrived yesterday--the pictures you sent couldn't do it justice, that fingerboard is really nice. Really good work man. Thanks for all the help. Whenever I finish it I'll make sure and send you a pic back of the finished product for your gallery. Thanks again, take it easy. AD from Scotland |
| Hey Kevin! Just got my guitar today. The thing looks great! Beautiful work! I'll have to spend some time with it this weekend to learn the subtleties, but I'm very excited. I promise, the "Martin Tapper 2 String" will have a good home. Now, if I ever learn how to play this thing, maybe I'll upgrade to 3 strings! Thanks for your constant communication throughout the process and hard & fast work getting it done. MM from Walworth NY |
Hi--today I received the guitar. You did really GREAT JOB!! I'm very impressed. Thanks again. I'll advertise this great one to everybody I know. Be Happy.. WL from Rancho Palos Verdes CA |
I've been meaning to write you since my "Twiggy" electric 3-string upright bass arrived a week ago, but I've been too busy playing it. My dainty guitar fingers are getting calloused, and I'm getting sounds I'd never dreamed of-- it really does sound beautiful. I'm kind of a snob when it comes to gear, and I have to say you did a superb job. A lot of my gear-head friends shook their heads when I tried to explain to them what I had ordered, but when they saw and heard it they were beyond impressed. The pick-up is extremely quiet, the action is just right, and the craftsmanship is anything but krappy. The thing I really want to stress is that although the instrument you built me unlike any other in the world, this is not a "novelty" instrument. It's my main bass now, and I look forward to sending you some tracks soon-- everything from hip-hop to ambient to punk to pop to rock to blues. Thank you Kevin!!!. QR from Manhattan NY |
| . | Dude I love this thing... the bass is growly, the highs are
bell-like... heck this thing even smells good, like a freshly milled
piece of wood should... everyone i show it to marvels at the
workmanship and the inventive design... but as I've told you before the
thing that made it truly worth it was your excellent customer service
and consistently quick response time... will send a pic 'ere too long,
but want you to know again what good works you're doing...
and i wasn't lying, it really does smell good!
EM from San Lorenzo CA |
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