In a fusion of post-apocalyptic grit and rock opera grandeur, guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt has unveiled his latest custom creation: a steampunk-inspired, part-guitar, part-keytar masterpiece. Crafted by Washburn Master Builder Chris Meade, this one-of-a-kind instrument, featured in Extreme’s new “X Out” music video, is already being hailed as the wildest custom guitar of the year.
The outrageous design was born from an equally outrageous conversation. As Meade recalls, Bettencourt’s initial request was simple, yet wildly ambitious: “Nuno calls me up and says, ‘Picture this. I want Mad Max and Jesus Christ Superstar.’”
From Concept to Custom Shop: Building a Steampunk Keytar
Meade, known for his work at the Washburn Custom Shop, was tasked with bringing this bizarre vision to life. The project was inspired by a vintage Washburn A-20 model that Bettencourt had initially tried to purchase.
When the guitar proved impossible to track down, the duo decided to build their own. The result is a fully functional instrument with a control board, a reverse Fender-style headstock, a Floyd Rose tremolo, and a Bill Lawrence humbucker—all built around the rediscovered A-20 body style.
To achieve the rugged, steampunk aesthetic, Meade went on a hunt for unconventional parts. “I had no idea where to find all this shit,” he admits. But fate intervened when he found a treasure trove of parts being discarded from an old boiler right outside the Washburn Custom Shop.
These salvaged pieces give the guitar its distinctive, gritty look, making it a true work of art.
More Than Just a Prop: The “X Out” Guitar in Action
Beyond its eye-catching appearance, the instrument is a fully playable keytar. “This is a real keytar, not the bullshit keyboardists play that isn’t a guitar,” Bettencourt jokes. He wasted no time putting it to use, featuring it prominently in Extreme’s music video for their latest single, “X Out,” from their new album SIX.
With plans to play the guitar on stage, Bettencourt’s new axe is more than just a promotional prop. This latest guitar is the second mystery custom model for the Extreme guitarist this year.
Washburn N4
Available at Sweetwater
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