Mythology and Wood

Rat Bait Guitars: Two Telecaster‑Style Bodies Born from Salvage and Spirit

Bodies in the North Devon workshop, waiting for their final touch. Soon they’ll be finished off, waxed, and dropped onto eBay—two Telecaster‑style bodies are more than wood, they bring history to the party. These aren’t factory‑fresh slabs of tonewood; they’re fragments of forgotten lives, reshaped and reimagined into instruments with battle scars, and soul.

Each body is a genuine Rat Bait Guitar Body, built in October 2025 from salvaged materials and shaped in a rat‑infested shed in North Devon. They’re not showroom pieces—they’re artefacts of survival and reinvention. Their silhouette nods to the quirky Woolworths guitars of the 1960s and ’70s: Japanese‑made, budget‑friendly instruments that were once dismissed as cheap knock‑offs, only to become cult classics decades later.

This is the same spirit—taking what the world throws away and turning it into something that screams.


Materials & Origin

Every body carries its own layered history:

  • 1970s Austrian dining table – once a place of family meals, now a resonant slab of tone.
  • Old roofing timber – beams that sheltered lives, now reborn as the backbone of sound.
  • Exmoor Spruce – local wood with a wild edge, grounding the build in Devon’s landscape.
  • Sections of an Ikea bookcase – mass‑produced flatpack, now carved into something utterly unique.

All reclaimed. All reimagined. All finished in natural beeswax, giving the wood a warm, tactile glow that honours its scars rather than hiding them.


What Is Exmoor Spruce?

Exmoor Spruce is a native softwood found in the rugged uplands of Exmoor National Park, known for its resilience and character. Grown in harsh, wind‑beaten conditions, it develops tight grain patterns and a distinctive tonal quality that makes it ideal for musical instruments. Unlike commercial spruce varieties, Exmoor Spruce carries the imprint of its wild environment—each piece tells a story of survival, shaped by the moor’s unpredictable weather and ancient soil. It’s wood with attitude, and it fits the Rat Bait ethos perfectly.

More than just a local material, Exmoor Spruce is a statement. It’s the sound of wind through trees, the weight of rain on gorse, the echo of hooves and history. When carved into a guitar body, it doesn’t just resonate—it growls. It’s not about purity or polish; it’s about presence. And in the hands of a player, it becomes a voice for the untamed.

The mythology of Exmoor runs deep—feral, windswept, and defiant. These bodies channel that outsider energy: rough silhouettes, raw finishes, and a stance that feels more like a weathered figure on a moor than a polished showroom piece. They wear the look of the land—scarred, elemental, and proud of it. The guitars don’t just echo the landscape; they embody its folklore.


The Beast of Exmoor

Lurking in the shadows of local legend, the Beast of Exmoor is said to roam the hills—a phantom predator with glowing eyes and a taste for livestock. Descriptions vary: a black panther, a spectral hound, a creature born of fog and fear. Whether myth or misidentification, its presence haunts the moor’s psyche. These guitar bodies carry a whisper of that gothic energy—feral outlines, claw‑like grain, and a sense that something untamed lives within the wood. They’re not just shaped by tools, but by stories. By the idea that even in the age of algorithms, something wild still watches from the bracken.


 

Specifications:

  • Style: Telecaster Type
  • Routing: Standard Tele neck pickup + Tele bridge pickup
  • Finish: Hand‑waxed, raw, and ready for players who want character over perfection

Why Rat Bait?

Because these guitars aren’t about sterile precision. They’re about defiance. About taking discarded scraps and proving they still have a purpose. About building in a shed where the rats scuttle in the corners, and still managing to carve something that can make you look good on stage.

Each body is a reminder that music has always thrived on the margins—punk, blues, garage rock, DIY scenes. These guitars belong there too.


Two bodies. Two chances to own a piece of reclaimed chaos. They’ll be up on eBay soon—raw, handmade, and unapologetically imperfect.

 

Bargain Barnwood Telecaster Body

Telecaster Body – Routed for Standard Tele Hardware

This is a genuine Rat Bait Guitar body, built in October 2025 from salvaged materials and shaped in a rat‑infested shed in North Devon. Its silhouette nods to the quirky Woolworths guitars of the 1960s and ’70s—Japanese‑made, budget‑friendly instruments that have since become cult classics. Hardware (pickups / neck etc.) shown in images are for example and not included in the sale – the item is the body only.

The body carries a raw, rugged finish with visible dents, scratches, and scars from its past life. Every mark is part of its story. Please see the photographs for detail on its texture and character.

Materials & Origin

  • 1970s Austrian dining table
  • Old roofing timber
  • Exmoor Spruce
  • Sections of an Ikea bookcase
  • All reclaimed and reimagined in the UK

Specifications

  • Style: Telecaster Type
  • Routed for: Standard Tele neck pickup + Tele bridge pickup
  • Approx. Thickness: 43mm
  • Neck Pocket Width: 56mm
  • Weight: 2.3kg
  • Finish: Raw, unfinished – ready for your fettling and final touches

Why Choose This Body?

This is not a factory‑perfect blank—it’s a piece of reclaimed history, reborn as a guitar body. Its barnwood aesthetic makes it ideal for a unique Partscaster build, offering both sustainability and individuality. Designed to fit standard hardware, it’s a versatile foundation for luthiers and players who want an instrument with soul, grit, and a story to tell.

Barnwood Hardtail Stratocaster Style Body

 

This Strat body is a genuine Rat Bait Guitar construction, which was made in September 2025. This guitar body is made from salvaged material and a broken Stratocaster type guitar constructed and shaped in a rat infested shed in North Devon. The design and shape is reminiscent of ‘Woolworths’ guitars from the 1960s / 70s – Japanese, retro homage. Please see photographs to view the rugged finish and texture of the body.

This body is part loaded with a white scratchplate from a new guitar, new electrics and new pickups.

 
Stratocaster Body made from recycled materials – body weight 1.85kg (unloaded).
Materials:  Old roofing timber, bits from an old bookcase and a broken Stratocaster body.
This body is routed to take standard single coil pickups. This handmade body has dents, scratches and old paint in places. You might have to fettle this body to suit your needs.
 Hardtail Stratocaster body SSS routed – UK Made
  • Body made from a salvaged material
  • Approx. Thickness: 42mm
  • Approx. Neck Pocket Width: 55mm
  • Approx. Weight: 1.85kg

The Hardtail Strat Barnwood Guitar Body by Rat Bait guitars is a unique and eco-friendly choice for electric guitar enthusiasts. Made from recycled material in the United Kingdom, this body features a natural, red, and black colour scheme that adds a touch of character to any guitar. With a weight of 1.85kg, this UK-made body is designed to fit most electric guitars seamlessly, making it an ideal choice for customising and creating a one-of-a-kind instrument.

Barnwood Nashville Style Body

Hybrid Stratocaster body routed to take Nashville Telecaster hardware

This Nashville Tele / Strat body is a genuine Rat Bait Guitar construction, which was made in September 2025. This guitar body is made from salvaged material and a broken Stratocaster type guitar constructed and shaped in a rat infested shed in North Devon. The design and shape is reminiscent of ‘Woolworths’ guitars from the 1960s / 70s – Japanese, retro homage. Please see photographs to view the rugged finish and texture of the body. 

Telecaster / Stratocaster Body made from recycled timber – body weight 1.99kg.
Materials: Part of a 1970s Austrian table, old roofing timber, bits from an old bookcase and a broken Stratocaster body.
This Nashville style body is routed to take a standard neck pickup, single coil middle pickup and standard Telecaster bridge pickup. This handmade body has dents, scratches and old paint in places. You might have to fettle this body to suit your needs.

 

  • Body made from a salvaged material
  • Approx. Thickness: 43mm
  • Approx. Neck Pocket Width: 56mm
  • Approx. Weight: 1.99kg
  • Light Nitro Cellulose tint coat in places
This guitar body blank is made from reclaimed wood in the United Kingdom, ready to be crafted into a unique and environmentally-friendly electric guitar. The natural and black colour offers a rugged looking, versatile, barnwood choice for a contemporary unique Partscaster, perfect for customising your instrument to suit your style. Designed to fit standard electric guitars, this body blank is a great choice for luthiers and musicians looking for a sustainable and distinctive sound.

Ibanez GSR200 Bass – Neck and Body

Ibanez DIY bass kit - PJ Bass

Ibanez DIY bass kit – PJ Bass

This Ibanez GSR200 Gio Bass kit, has a sleek blue body, with its original factory fitted right handed, 22 fret, 4-string neck, which is easy to play and has lots of life left in it. Manufactured by a brand synonymous with quality, the Ibanez GSR200 is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their musical experience.

 

Ibanez DIY bass kit - PJ Bass
Crafted for the bass enthusiast, the Ibanez Gio Soundgear Bass Guitar Body and Neck combine versatility with the classic aesthetic of a 4-string electric bass. The GSR 200 model, known for its rich tones and robust build, comes in a sleek blue finish that stands out on stage and in the studio. Optimised for right-handed players, this bass features a solid body type that resonates with the quality craftsmanship Ibanez is renowned for. The 4/4 size ensures a comfortable fit for most players, allowing for extended sessions without compromising on playability or tone.
These bass components will be shipped with the neck detached from the body.
Ibanez DIY bass kit - PJ Bass
Ibanez DIY bass kit – PJ Bass
When rebuilt with your own specifications and upgrades you will have a bass celebrated for its exceptional sound quality and striking aesthetics.

 

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The Ibanez GSR200 Bass is a well-loved instrument in the world of affordable bass guitars. Known for its blend of quality, performance, and cost-effectiveness, it’s a popular choice among beginners and intermediate players alike. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes it stand out.

Body: The GSR200 features a sleek, lightweight Agathis body that makes it comfortable to play for extended periods.

Neck: It has a smooth, thin GSR4 maple neck that’s easy to navigate, making it great for players with smaller hands or those just starting out.

Pickups: Equipped with Dynamix P and J pickups, this bass offers a wide range of tones, from deep and punchy to bright and clear. The Phat II EQ control adds extra low-end power, giving you the flexibility to shape your sound.

Bridge: The B10 bridge provides solid intonation and sustain, ensuring that your notes ring true.

Hardware: The chrome hardware not only looks good but is also durable and reliable.

The design of the GSR200 is both modern and classic, with a variety of finishes available to suit personal preferences. Its double-cutaway body provides easy access to the higher frets, and the overall build quality is impressive for its price range. One of the key selling points of the GSR200 is its playability. The action is set up well from the factory, and the neck feels smooth and fast. It’s an excellent choice for learning and practicing, but it also holds its own in live performance settings. The GSR200 is praised for offering great value for its price. It’s affordable without compromising on quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians on a budget. Its combination of features and performance makes it a standout in its price category.

Overall, the Ibanez GSR200 Bass is a versatile and reliable instrument that appeals to a wide range of players. Whether you’re just starting your bass journey or need a dependable backup for gigs, the GSR200 delivers in both sound and feel.