October 23, 2012 20:11

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon auctions guitar made from a whiskey barrel

Profits from the sale will go to a community arts project in Vernon's hometown

Photo: Press

Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon is auctioning a guitar made from a whiskey barrel.

The custom axe is called The 1608 and was made by Vernon in conjunction with master luthier Gordy Bischoff. Crafted from white oak wood taken from Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrels, the guitar came about as a result of Bon Iver's advertising deal with the drinks brand.

The volume and tone control knobs are made of bottle caps and whiskey was added to the guitar humidor during the making process, so the instrument smells every so slightly booze-y.

Proceeds from the sale of the guitar will go to The Confluence Community Arts Center in Vernon's hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, reports Consequence of Sound.

Bidding for the guitar – which is one of four – is currently underway on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding for the guitar had reached $7,100.

The listing reads: "This baritone guitar is made almost entirely out of the white oak wood from the whiskey barrels, with only a touch of additional wood added to the internal structure. The nine-pound guitar features two separate pickup systems, an acoustic transducer and two passive electric pickups, and features a neck made from hard rock maple and Ebony."

The auction ends on November 1.

Bon Iver embark on an arena tour of the UK and Ireland next month. The gigs kick off on November 8 at London's Wembley Arena and run until November 12 when the band headline Dublin's O2 Arena. They will also play dates in Manchester and Glasgow.

To check the availability of Bon Iver tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

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