Marceline is a character from the Adventure Time television series. Over the course of the series it appears with different basses, although the most famous is certainly the Basso Ax. You can make one for a costume or for fun by following these simple steps.
Steps
Step 1. Purchase a sizeable piece of insulation foam from a DIY store in your city
The foam is sold in pink or blue. Choose the thickest one. You will probably have to cut it yourself, or ask the seller to help you.
Step 2. Search online for an image of Marceline's Low Ax and print it
You will use it as a model.
Step 3. Using a pencil or a fine-tipped pen, draw the shape of the ax and the neck separately on a sheet of cardboard
Cut them out and use them as a template.
Step 4. Return the model to the foam
Make two bodies and a neck. Using an X-Acto engraving knife, cut out all three pieces. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.
Step 5. Take Super Attack or spray glue and glue the two pieces of the ax
Step 6. Once dry, pin the neck to the center of the guitar body and let it dry
Step 7. Get red (or mahogany), silver and black acrylic paint
Step 8. Paint following your reference image
Step 9. Decorate by painting thin black lines for the strings and gluing some spikes on the neck to simulate the tuning keys
You can also glue bottle caps that resemble buttons on the bottom of the bass.
Step 10. Spray the Bass Ax with some lacquer or upholstery paint to keep it looking good for years to come
Advice
- Buy the thicker, stiffer type of foam you can find, it will be more durable.
- Arm yourself with time and patience to cut the foam.
- If you choose to use lacquer, treat the Lower Ax specially before painting it to prevent the foam from melting due to the chemical reaction between lacquer and foam.
- Wear gloves when using Super Attack.
- To glue the pins that will simulate the tuning keys, apply the glue on the pointed part and push it inside the neck.
- Place cardboard under the foam to avoid scratching the underlying surface by cutting this material.
Warnings
- Use spray glue in very ventilated areas.
- Be careful not to burn yourself with hot glue.
- Watch your fingers when using the X-Acto knife.