The ultimate adventure guitar. Built to go anywhere. Designed for the adventurer in us all. Read more
The ultimate adventure guitar. Built to go anywhere. Designed for the adventurer in us all.
About this project
*Thank you to our backers! Follow the story at www.alpacaguitar.com*
THE ALPACA GUITAR
The Alpaca is a go-anywhere adventure guitar designed to withstand the elements. Its rugged build is comprised of top quality fiberglass, carbon fiber, and bio-derived resins, all made in the US. This combination produces an incredibly lightweight and strong instrument with a brilliant, resonant sound.
The Alpaca will
handle anything a good adventure brings; dirt, water, bumps and bruises.
An embedded daisy chain on the back provides a strong universal
attachment to any of your outdoor gear.
Features
CARBON FIBER SOUNDBOARD
VT SUGAR MAPLE LAY-INS
THREE-POINT STRAP SYSTEM
WATERPROOF
ERGONOMIC SHAPE
LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT
MADE IN VERMONT
Specs
DIM: L32.25″ W11″ D3.5″
SCALE LENGTH: 24.75"
WEIGHT: 2.6LBS
FRETS: 20, SILVER-NICKEL
STRAP: ADJUSTABLE PARACORD
TUNERS: GEARLESS
STRINGS: STEEL
Risks and challenges
Overall, we are confident in our ability to achieve our goal, and fulfill our reward obligations. That we are already building our guitars gives us a huge boost in confidence, but doesn't make the scope any smaller. We've printed shirts and bags in the past, and sewing the Dirt Bags is more about time than difficulty. Our core Kickstarter goals are to upgrade our shop and buy in bulk. This will allow us to improve and increase guitar production and help us enter the market running. There is a lot to that, and it isn't without risks to our backers, or challenges to us.
Challenges
The Alpaca guitar will be made with the aid of 3D CAD/CAM. The molds for the current guitars were built without the aid of computers. Good old fashioned clay and cardboard modeling produced these first guitars. Going digital is a big step up for us, but one that will lead to a lighter, stronger, and overall better guitar This digital upgrade is a necessary step to allow us to produce multiple guitars each day.
We considered partnering with a molding firm in NY, but in the end, our quantity wasn't large enough to justify the expense of tooling up. With the exception of the guitar picks, all rewards and guitars will be built by us. We've planned our campaign around the sale of 75 guitars, which we believe can be built by us in under 2 months; this is a challenge. Game on!
Risks
We have a big leg up on other projects because we have already built numerous guitars. Our biggest concern rests on the shop upgrade to 3D CAD/CAM. This is a giant step for us, and although the greatest things on earth are built in 3D, it still makes us nervous. Will it work? Can we reproduce the design accurately? Will it sound and fit together the same? How much time will it take to get all the systems running in harmony? These are all big questions for us. With a successful campaign, we'll have some stiff deadlines to uphold. Although all our software and tooling partners have assured us it will be fine, I still feel obligated to list it as a Risk.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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We're glad you asked! There isn't currently a left handed version. But, with a successful campaign, we will be able to make the left handed Alpaca a reality. Just shoot us a note letting us know you ride goofy. We're sorry to ask, but please add $15 for the lefty.
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In keeping with our 'go-anywhere', rugged, waterproof design, we've kept the Alpaca totally unplugged. Having electrical components in there would dramatically limit its durability - especially when it comes to wet environments like here in Vermont. But should you want to install one, we don't see any problem in doing so.
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The Alpaca family is growing fast; currently we plan on making a mandolin, ukulele, and banjo. If that hasn't consumed us enough, we'll take a stab at a fiddle and bass. If you back us at either of the $35 levels, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on the other instruments - most likely, this will mean 30% off retail. Thanks for your support!
Rewards
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Pledge $1 or more
10 backers
Thank you for your support! We'll keep you posted on this Alpaca adventure.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $5 or more
8 backers
3 Original Alpaca Guitar Picks (see photo below). Your support is greatly appreciated and we'll express it by sending you these picks plus a hand printed card. If you're getting anxious for our Alpaca mandolin or ukulele, this reward level will keep you in the loop.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $10 or more
12 backers
3 Original Alpaca Guitar Picks + Original, Handmade, Alpaca Fridge Magnet made of carbon fiber (see photo below). You'll think of us every time you grab a beer with this stellar piece of re-purposed art. This fabric was destined to be a guitar, and now it's on your fridge. We'll seal it up in a great hand printed thank you card and keep you informed of our future instruments.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $35 or more
12 backers
A Special Edition Bamboo/Organic Cotton Alpaca T-shirt (see photo below) hand printed by us + 3 Original Picks. Plus, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $35 or more
3 backers
A Special Edition Handmade Jute Alpaca Dirt Bag (see photo below) + 3 Original Picks. The dirt bag is an awesome way to show your support and carry your farmers' market loot. Plus, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $70 or more
2 backers
This reward level decks you out in our Alpaca T-shirt and Dirt Bag plus hooks you up with 3 Original Picks and a Fridge Magnet made of carbon fiber (see photo below). We'll also keep you qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $390 or more
25 backers All gone!
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: The Alpaca Guitar + Dirt Bag + 3 Picks. And because we treasure our Early Birds, we'll send you a thank you card with a few photos of your guitar being built. Plus, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $425 or more
25 backers All gone!
EARLY BIRD ROCKSTAR: The Alpaca Guitar + Dirt Bag + 3 Picks + T-shirt + Fridge Magnet. Plus we'll keep you qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele. And because you're early to the party, we'll snap a few photos of your guitar being built and send 'em to you.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $425 or more
30 backers All gone!
THE ALPACA GUITAR: The Alpaca Guitar + Dirt Bag + 3 Picks + handmade thank you card. Plus, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $425 or more
45 backers Limited (30 left of 75)
THE ALPACA GUITAR - Herd #2! The Alpaca Guitar + Dirt Bag + 3 Picks + handmade thank you card. Plus, you'll be qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $450 or more
2 backers All gone!
The whole package: The Alpaca Guitar + Dirt Bag + 3 Picks + T-shirt + Fridge Magnet. Plus we'll keep you qualified for pre-release specials on our upcoming Alpaca Mandolin and Ukulele. This will all come with a hand printed thank you card from us.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $700 or more
8 backers Limited (2 left of 10)
PLATINUM SERIES: Your Alpaca Guitar will be one of the first ten ever made with a serial number 1-10 (in order of backing) and signed by the luthier. And naturally you'll get hooked up with the Dirt Bag + 3 Picks + T-shirt + Fridge Magnet + thank you card.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $800 or more
6 backers
CUSTOM SERIES: Customize your very own Alpaca Guitar. We'll build you a one-of-a-kind guitar with the color combinations of your choice. We'll send you samples and sketches, and help you design a truly custom guitar. In addition to the full line of Alpaca rewards we'll send your way, we'll snap some candids of your guitar being built and feature it on our website.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $3,500 or more
0 backers
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE: Turn your guitar dreams into reality. We'll fly you into Vermont and put you up at a local B&B for the weekend so you can build your own guitar. Breakfasts at the B&B, lunch by the lake, and dinners with the Alpaca crew outside under the stars. Enjoy all that Barnard has to offer: Silver Lake, Fable Farm, bonfires, cheese, Maple syrup, and more. It all awaits you. When you're done having fun, we'll get down to business building your guitar from start to finish. You'll leave town with a one-of-a-kind guitar, once-in-a-lifetime memories, and a suitcase full of goodies for the jealous folks back home. If you are international, drop us a note and we'll come up with a plan to get you over here!
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States
Funding period
- (30 days)
