THE DIY LIFE IS STRONG

GET WHAT YOU WANT BY DOING IT YOURSELF

My seventh-grade shop teacher opened the door to DIY in my mind. That year I attempted to make two things I just couldn’t get any other way: The first was a life-size model of Voltron’s sword; the second was an electric guitar. Mr. Westland gave me all the wood and moral support I needed without judgment.

One turned out magnificently— handcarved out of solid wood, painted with lacquer and embellished with chrome. The other was a guitar. Well, it was in the shape of a guitar; let’s just leave it at that. But the spark in me was lit.

At 16 I had the opportunity to refurbish a strange-looking electric bass. I was told it was worthless; they just wanted it playable again. So, not knowing what I didn’t know, I took on the project. It ranks among my earliest successes—but with a rather large caveat.

The instantaneous availability of information we enjoy today was a far-off dream in 1986. I couldn’t click on a how-to video before I refurbished that bass guitar. If I could have, I may have discovered the rarity of this instrument—a very-not-worthless Vox Phantom IV bass built in 1964—before I devalued it with a basement workshop respray. Now, to my credit, I did bring this poor thing—handed to me in pieces—back to life, turning it into a beautiful, functioning instrument able to make music for the world.

This also marked the beginning of two journeys I’m still on: repairing and refinishing musical instruments and playing the bass.

I’m grateful for those open doors, for my successes and failures, and, most of all, for the people—Mr. Westland and all the craftspeople and artisans who have taken me under their wing and helped me find my way to Family Handyman. The DIY life is strong here, and when I think about opening doors and being an inspiration to others, I’m humbled by the possibility.

Who inspired you? Who opened a door for you? Tell ’em thanks! And share your story with us—we would love to hear it!