Cosplay is all about bringing your favorite characters to life, and sometimes, that means tackling those iconic props. A prop can truly elevate a good cosplay to a great one, adding depth and recognizability to your portrayal. Whether it’s a mighty sword, a futuristic rifle, or even a character-defining plush, these elements are what make a cosplay truly pop. And for fans of Adventure Time’s Marceline the Vampire Queen, her signature axe bass guitar is an absolute must-have.
If you’re looking to embody the cool and rebellious spirit of Marceline, crafting her unique guitar is a fantastic project. Don’t let the idea of a large prop intimidate you! This tutorial will guide you through creating your own Marceline guitar, also known as her axe bass, using easily accessible materials. The best part? This method is adaptable for crafting a variety of other cosplay props too!
Marceline Cosplayer with Axe Bass Guitar Prop
Credit: http://www.modelmayhem.com/1454120
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the world of foam crafting and create your very own Marceline guitar prop!
Crafting Your Foam Marceline Guitar: A Step-by-Step Guide
This tutorial focuses on creating a lightweight yet durable Marceline guitar prop using foam. Perfect for conventions and photoshoots, this DIY project is budget-friendly and fun to make.
Estimated Cost: Around $50
Materials You’ll Need:
Before you begin, gather all your materials. This will make the crafting process smoother and more efficient.
- Pink Insulation Foam (1.5 inch thick): You can find this at hardware stores like Menard’s or Home Depot. A small portion of a larger sheet is usually sufficient. Thinner foam is recommended to save on trimming time.
- Small Hand Saw: For cutting the foam pieces.
- Sandblocks (80 Grade, Two): Essential for smoothing the foam and refining the guitar’s shape.
- Gorilla Glue: This is crucial as it bonds foam effectively without melting it, unlike hot glue or super glue.
- Assorted Paintbrushes: For applying Mod Podge and acrylic paints.
- Silver Elastic: Found in the jewelry section of craft stores, used for the guitar strings.
- Craft Foam: From the kids’ crafts section, for creating string holders and other details.
- Model Magic: Also in kids’ crafts, for sculpting Marceline’s signature strap pin.
- Mod Podge: A sealant and smoother for the foam surface, found in craft stores.
- Acrylic Paints: Specifically, dark red (two bottles), black, silver, and dark brown for Marceline’s guitar color scheme.
- Wooden Pegs: Craft store item, used for tuning pegs.
- Acrylic Paint Caps: These will serve as the tune knobs.
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: For attaching smaller details like pegs and knobs.
Step 1: Cutting the Foam Pieces
Insulation foam usually comes in large sheets. You’ll only need a fraction of it for this project. Using a hand saw, carefully cut out the guitar pieces according to the diagram below. Remember, thinner foam (1.5 inch) is easier to work with than thicker options. Take your time and aim for clean cuts.
Diagram for Cutting Marceline Guitar Foam Prop Pieces
Step 2: Sanding for Smoothness
Sanding is a key step to achieving a professional look. Use the sandblocks to smooth all the foam pieces. Pay close attention to the surfaces, as Mod Podge won’t hide imperfections like dents or scratches. The smoother you make the foam now, the better the final paint finish will be. Designate the side of the foam without printed words as the front of your guitar for easier painting later.
Step 3: Assembling with Glue
Now it’s time to glue the guitar pieces together. Gorilla Glue is the recommended adhesive because it’s designed for foam and provides a strong bond without causing melting. Avoid hot glue or super glue as they can damage the foam. This step requires patience as Gorilla Glue takes time to dry completely. For extra strength, consider gluing the pieces before applying Mod Podge, allowing the glue to penetrate the foam slightly.
Step 4: Mod Podge Coating
Once the glue is fully dried and the guitar is assembled, coat the entire foam guitar with Mod Podge. Apply multiple coats (three to four is ideal), allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Mod Podge serves multiple purposes: it smooths out the foam surface, fills in air bubbles, and adds significant sturdiness to the prop, making it more durable for cosplay events.
Step 5: Adding Battle Damage Details
Marceline’s axe bass guitar has a distinctive worn and battle-scarred appearance, reflecting its age as a family heirloom. To capture this look, use a knife or your saw to carefully cut notches and scratches into the foam guitar. Don’t overdo it – aim for realistic wear and tear that enhances the character of the prop.
Step 6: Painting and Detailing
Painting brings your Marceline guitar to life! Start with a base coat of dark red acrylic paint. For the neck, headstock, and edges of the guitar base, mix the dark red with dark brown and a touch of black to create a deeper, richer red tone. While these parts are drying, paint the wooden pegs and acrylic paint caps silver – these will be your tuning pegs and knobs.
Once the base coats are dry, add smaller details. Paint the frets, pickups, and the iconic black cross on the headstock. Use hot glue to attach the four painted pegs and tune knobs to the headstock, completing the tuning mechanism.
Step 7: Creating the Strings
Marceline’s guitar is a bass, so it only has four strings. Cut two small “string holders” from craft foam, as shown in the image. Paint these holders and glue them to the guitar’s body at the bridge and neck positions. Wedge the silver elastic string into the craft foam holders and glue them securely in place to create the strings.
Step 8: Crafting the Strap Pin
The final detail is Marceline’s unique strap pin. Using Model Magic, sculpt a large, pointed, silver object that resembles her strap pin. Model Magic needs to air dry overnight. Once dry, paint it silver and then attach it to the bottom of the guitar using hot glue or super glue.
Rock On!
Congratulations! You’ve now crafted your very own Marceline axe bass guitar prop. Lightweight, durable, and convention-ready, this guitar is the perfect accessory for your Marceline cosplay. Get ready to rock out at your next convention and embody the Vampire Queen in style!
