View Full Version : Extreme Makeover - Man Cave Edition
Hey Gang!
Fairly new around here (longtime lurker) so I thought I'd break the ice with some of my man cave DIY projects I've worked on over the last few months. Please enjoy and feel free to ask any questions if this ends up inspiring some projects of your own. :bonk
When my wife and I bought our new house almost a year ago now the first thing I wanted to do was build a stage in our basement. Of course she thought it was crazy, but here's the end result. This one took a whole day to finish but wasn't all that bad actually. The internal frame was made out of regular 2x6's and then the outside border and top are all oak. Needless to say, nailing the oak to the frame was a bear. Guitars in this pic are a Swamp Ash Les Paul, '67 Resissue Flying V, and SG Standard in Natural Burst.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3649.jpg
Project number 2 was supposed to be simple, but these things always end up taking longer than you initially think. I was going to put this in the storage closet to hold all of my cases, but it turned out looking so cool I decided to leave it out. The fabric was a very nice score. My wife found it at Hobby Lobby on clearance and bought all that they had. :)
Edit: More detailed dimensions and instructions can be found in post #40 of this thread.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3644.jpg
Project number 3 really was pretty simple, but it's been a lifesaver. I'm sure a lot of you are like me, with a strap for every guitar. After awhile they end up adding up. This little guy took care of that problem. The hooks are actually meant for curtain rods and I just picked them up at Lowes.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3646.jpg
This weekends project again took longer than anticipated, but it turned out really well and didn't cost anything because I just used scraps from previous endeavors. I found myself either working on my guitars on the soft carpeted floor or laying out at towel on the dining room table. So instead I thought it would be great to have a padded work bench to use solely for guitars. Same fabric that I used on the case shelf, but this time I used a couple of those camping mats that you use under a sleeping bag for padding.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3656.jpg
Last but not least I have to include a guitar pic to keep you guys happy... ES339, American Deluxe Strat, and '09 R9. And the last pic is one I had of the stage from a distance. Like I said. Hope you guys enjoy!
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3653.jpg
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3652.jpg
schundog
08-15-2010, 04:41 PM
Nice Man Cave! Get a drum kit up on that stage and host some jams!! Welcome to TGP, by the way.
plagtr2
08-15-2010, 04:44 PM
NICE! Easy to spend hours down there I'd bet!
The Cowboy Poet
08-15-2010, 04:47 PM
I'm jealous! That looks awesome. The strap hanger and case rack are great ideas.
frank62
08-15-2010, 04:56 PM
Mercy that is nice!
stvnscott
08-15-2010, 05:01 PM
Does your wife ever see you now?
I'm jealous! That looks awesome. The strap hanger and case rack are great ideas.
Thanks man. I thought so too. In fact, you'd think it would be easy to buy either one of them, but I didn't find much so ended up just doing them myself. Word of warning, the upholstery work is deceiving... definitely the worst part of the whole thing.
Does your wife ever see you now?
Haha. From time to time. For the most part she's ok with all of it. She's definitely a keeper. We've only been married for 2 months though, so we'll see how things change now. ;)
Drew816
08-15-2010, 06:08 PM
Haha. From time to time. For the most part she's ok with all of it. She's definitely a keeper. We've only been married for 2 months though, so we'll see how things change now. ;)
If you still have this setup and more 5-10 years from now THEN she's a keeper. ;) :rotflmao
Nice setup, enjoy.
oddball
08-15-2010, 06:22 PM
Very nice. Great job with the set-up and design.
john b
08-15-2010, 06:53 PM
Your wife is a saint! All you need is a drum set, a keg on tap and about 20 doods to hang out!
Tone_Terrific
08-15-2010, 07:18 PM
The case rack is very cool.
The stage is sooo small.
Are you trying to make it realistically tiny?:D
bstarch
08-15-2010, 08:34 PM
NICE! Easy to spend hours down there I'd bet!
Haha. Yes. I quit my job, took my gear and spent hours at a time every day down there for 6 months. It was great. There was some serious jamming going on down there. I'll have you know both him and his wife are saints. Not sure getting another job was a good idea now. Also, the drums were under serious consideration for quite some time. :D
RAILhead
08-15-2010, 09:00 PM
Whoa, I may steal that case rack when I get my music room built! In all my years of playing, I have never once thought of storing cases like that.
RichieD
08-15-2010, 09:21 PM
Damn, that's the coolest music room/man cave I've ever seen. The stage is awesome!
Love the music posters, too.
Haha. Yes. I quit my job, took my gear and spent hours at a time every day down there for 6 months. It was great. There was some serious jamming going on down there. I'll have you know both him and his wife are saints. Not sure getting another job was a good idea now. Also, the drums were under serious consideration for quite some time. :D
Funny enough this is a true story. We miss you! The stage isn't seeing nearly as much action without you!
smolder
08-15-2010, 09:27 PM
ok... hold on. That's no man cave. I don't see a flat screen for sports. No old refrigerator for beer and no piles of boxes full of junk that really should be thrown out or organized. It's just too damn neat and clean. You can't really have a man cave that you wife enjoys hanging out in can you?
Ok... yeah, I'm impressed. Very very nice ; ) I no longer want to post picks of mine.
Whoa, I may steal that case rack when I get my music room built! In all my years of playing, I have never once thought of storing cases like that.
Thanks. It really is perfect for my needs. Amazing how those things start stacking up over the years. I'd sell you one, but I can't imagine how much it would cost to ship this beast. Seriously though all you need is the tools, materials, and a good days work. If you guys want tips on building any of this stuff I'm more than willing. I'm definitely no carpenter so if I can do it anyone can.
ok... hold on. That's no man cave. I don't see a flat screen for sports. No old refrigerator for beer and no piles of boxes full of junk that really should be thrown out or organized. It's just too damn neat and clean. You can't really have a man cave that you wife enjoys hanging out in can you?
Ok... yeah, I'm impressed. Very very nice ; ) I no longer want to post picks of mine.
I left the flat screen out... Didn't figure you guys cared to see that. :JAM
As for the junk.... It's all on the other side of that door by the stage. ;)
Whoa, I may steal that case rack when I get my music room built! In all my years of playing, I have never once thought of storing cases like that.
That is really smart! I have cases in closets and under beds all over the house. The rack is definitely a more elegant solution.
PJ
Very cool setup. Might consider putting foam or carpet in the corners to help with sound.
The Golden Boy
08-16-2010, 07:11 PM
Nice looking room.
I really like the case rack.
But I ****ing hate the term "man cave."
I'm embarrassed that I actually typed it.
That's a great setup! But when I think Man Cave, I think of this:
http://sarah-n-dipitous.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/18/man_cave.jpg
Nice looking room.
I really like the case rack.
But I ****ing hate the term "man cave."
I'm embarrassed that I actually typed it.
Ok ok. Perhaps man cave wasn't the best term. I just call it "the basement." Catchy, I know, which is why I had to call it something else to get you guys to read this tread.
Seriously though, glad you guys enjoy it. I sure do.
Elmer
08-16-2010, 09:00 PM
That stage is seriously cool! I am definitely lifting the strap hanger idea, and may try my hand at building the case storage rack (not sure if I have the skills or tools for that one).
Very nice work!
Very cool setup. Might consider putting foam or carpet in the corners to help with sound.
This is still under consideration actually. I'm sure it would help a lot.
tommc
08-16-2010, 09:10 PM
Great idea for he guitar cases. If it were only 5 or 6 high, then you could leave the top one empty and put the one you are using on top so you could open it....
smolder
08-16-2010, 09:50 PM
the den of self indulgence? Oh wait... that would be me.
stratzrus
08-17-2010, 05:31 AM
I love the guitar rack and work bench. Great room!
K-Line
08-17-2010, 05:34 AM
Must not have kids! In hy house, the twins would have it disassembled in 5 minutes flat.
CyberFerret
08-17-2010, 05:49 AM
Awesome...just awesome. I love this setup. I agree with other posters though - you really need a drum set on that stage!
Nice.Case rack is awesome.Enjoy!
Wiz-ski
08-17-2010, 06:37 AM
Case Rack = so dope :bow
strat6866
08-17-2010, 06:51 AM
Very cool!
eyeball987
08-17-2010, 09:27 AM
The case rack rocks! You had mentioned posting some info on how you built some of this stuff. I would love some dimensions and tips on how to build the rack case. Maybe post it here or in a new thread? Thanks again and well done.
The Golden Boy
08-17-2010, 09:33 AM
Ok ok. Perhaps man cave wasn't the best term. I just call it "the basement." Catchy, I know, which is why I had to call it something else to get you guys to read this tread.
Seriously though, glad you guys enjoy it. I sure do.
Yeah, mine is "my corner of the basement."
And your basement is much nicer looking!
crosse79
08-17-2010, 10:25 AM
Wow - nice. Love the shelf for the casing.
Trebor Renkluaf
08-17-2010, 10:30 AM
Man I want a man cave like that. My man cave is my closet!!!
Simto
08-17-2010, 10:36 AM
Awesome :D
The case rack rocks! You had mentioned posting some info on how you built some of this stuff. I would love some dimensions and tips on how to build the rack case. Maybe post it here or in a new thread? Thanks again and well done.
For those that would like to know...
The entire rack is 7ft (84in) tall, 5ft (60in) wide, and 18in deep. For the four corner posts you can really use whatever you feel is sturdy enough, I used cheap 2x4's. I found that these dimensions were ideal for storing every type of guitar or bass that I own.
Each shelf was constructed individually using 1x3's for framing and then 1/2 in plywood on top. Each one of these was then screwed into the four posts. The big trick is the spacing. I wanted 10 shelfs so what I ended up doing was making the bottom 3 shelves 8 inches apart from the top of one shelf to the bottom of the frame of the next one. I use these bottom shelves for guitars with thicker cases (i.e. acoustics and basses). the rest of the shelves I only used 6 in spacing.
If you feel like putting fabric on the shelves, like I did, all you need is a lot of durable fabric, some spray adhesive, and a staple gun. I didn't feel that the shelves needed to be padded, but if you do, I'd recommend getting some of those cheap camping mats to put under the fabric, much like I did for my "operating table."
I have to warn you that once together this thing is a beast and should probably be anchored to the wall if you have children. I would also suggest labeling each shelf like I have done. It really helps for grabbing the right case.
None of this is a complete science. I just drew it up one day and did it the next. The price of the wood will be your biggest issue, so go with what's cheap and it'll look decent enough if you stain it. Feel free to experiment. As I mentioned before, I'm not a carpenter and I've never taken a shop class before in my life. I have a desk job in the real world. I have no doubt that someone could improve on the design and I'm certainly open to opinions and improvements. :idea
Here's a front shot if this helps any more.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/rldaily/Man%20Cave/IMG_3645.jpg
Awesome...just awesome. I love this setup. I agree with other posters though - you really need a drum set on that stage!
The drum decision has been a constant struggle. I'm sure it will eventually happen at some point. The thing is, I don't play drums... not well anyway. I'm sure I'd play them if I had them, but anytime I consider dropping $ on a drum set I just end up buying a new guitar instead. :JAM
jpervin
08-17-2010, 04:54 PM
Very nice...all of it!!!
The only thing missing (besides the drum kit) is a Telecaster. :D
Very nice...all of it!!!
The only thing missing (besides the drum kit) is a Telecaster. :D
You caught me. For whatever reason I tend to gravitate towards Gibsons. Have a nice Strat but never really fell in love with it, so I think that kind of steered me away from Teles too. I know I know. They're totally different. I've definitely had slight GAS for a '52 RI for a long time now, just haven't taken the plunge yet.
Wolfboy1
08-18-2010, 10:26 AM
The case idea is very cool. All of that plywood has got to make that really, really heavy. I would suggest maybe using 3 or 4 slats (like a bed) for each case. Then also put a cable "X" bracing on the back as well. My boys are grown now but the first thing they would have done is climb that sucker. So, you might want to plan on anchoring it to the wall or tie it in to the ceiling. At 18" deep you could actually tie it in to a custom bookcase/cabinet as well. A nice corner unit could be made with the cases coming out along one wall and the repair table along the other with some shelves above the repiar table, use your imagination. Some cool possibilities for a very interesting design! Bravo!
Blue Light
08-18-2010, 12:54 PM
Honey, I've been thinking. We need to put the washer/dryer someplace else, and I just thought.....
Primakurtz
08-18-2010, 12:58 PM
:bow
This one goes in the Man Cave Hall of Fame!
r9player
08-18-2010, 01:10 PM
Very nice, love the look of that stage, quite awesome!
Loobster
08-18-2010, 03:15 PM
mojo sent
The case idea is very cool. All of that plywood has got to make that really, really heavy. I would suggest maybe using 3 or 4 slats (like a bed) for each case. Then also put a cable "X" bracing on the back as well. My boys are grown now but the first thing they would have done is climb that sucker. So, you might want to plan on anchoring it to the wall or tie it in to the ceiling. At 18" deep you could actually tie it in to a custom bookcase/cabinet as well. A nice corner unit could be made with the cases coming out along one wall and the repair table along the other with some shelves above the repiar table, use your imagination. Some cool possibilities for a very interesting design! Bravo!
All good ideas. I'd love to see what some of you guys end up coming up with. Glad I could spark something.
FlyingDutchman
08-18-2010, 05:41 PM
Very nice setup! Im jealous!!! Now you just need to get a bunch of boo-tek amps and she'll be finished!
Very nice setup! Im jealous!!! Now you just need to get a bunch of boo-tek amps and she'll be finished!
I'd love to get a Two Rock. I'm accepting donations... ;)
spitshineguitars
08-18-2010, 05:48 PM
The only thing I see missing is a mini fridge for beer :-) wait is that one next to your setup bench?
The only thing I see missing is a mini fridge for beer :-) wait is that one next to your setup bench?
Yes indeed sir. :BluesBros
Wolfboy1
08-18-2010, 08:52 PM
You got favorable reviews over at the Truefire forum where I shared a couple of your pictures:
http://truefire.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6603
paul1122
08-20-2010, 07:54 AM
Sweet! +1 on the drums
buddastrat
08-20-2010, 08:56 AM
Wow. I'm jealous. I had a cool room... but the kids came and Dinosaurs and Elmos, and Barbies overtook our house.
aussiemeats
08-20-2010, 11:26 AM
Good Day,
How does one get an invite over to jam?
Cheers!
Cymbaline
08-20-2010, 11:12 PM
I am jealous.
Innocent Smith
09-05-2010, 06:58 PM
A few weeks ago I showed my wife your post. She thought it was pretty cool. Today as we doing some fall cleaning I casually broached the subject of doing something similar in our basement.
"What do you say we get rid of this pool table and build a stage?" Her response? "Let's do it!"
A few weeks ago I showed my wife your post. She thought it was pretty cool. Today as we doing some fall cleaning I casually broached the subject of doing something similar in out basement.
"What do you say we get rid of this pool table and build a stage?" Her response? "Let's do it!"
Great to hear! Should be a fun project. I look forward to seeing some pics once you finish. :JAM
AtomEve
09-05-2010, 09:15 PM
Awesome!!
Innocent Smith
02-21-2011, 04:05 PM
In September I posted that my wife had agreed to let me build a stage in the basement. Several months later...Here it is!
http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss24/Innocent-Smith/P1000497.jpg
http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss24/Innocent-Smith/P1000498.jpg
http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss24/Innocent-Smith/P1000500.jpg
We had our first practice session on it Friday night. A bit crowed with 5 us of up there, but totally workable.
Step 2 will be building a wall bar!
great cave! I really like the shelf for the cases.
r9player
02-21-2011, 05:01 PM
really nice! congrats and enjoy!
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