Action Figure Studios - Dogu Custom Electric Guitars

Action Figure Studios is a high-end custom electric guitar design/fabrication/modification/sales group also doing professional repairs and mods now located in Boulder, Colorado (formerly Santa Barbara, California) - established in 2014.

My first modified guitars started in the mid-1970’s when I painted a ES-335 copy. I haven’t stopped since and have owned, played and built or modified a lot of guitars. As a one-off custom builder, I started in 2013.

Soon after, I began learning and building custom amplifiers. To do this I have teamed up with Terry Bower - an amazing amp technician who's knowledge and skill goes beyond being a "tech." He has worked on amps, guitars as a recording engineer, as a store owner and more - he even worked for NASA doing electrical engineering projects!

The amps along with the guitars are study and research into the complete instrument. I believe in the philosophy of Leo Fender and felt it my duty to understand both sides of the equation. It has been amazing to learn and put the knowledge of amps back into the guitars and from guitars into amps.

As with all my designs, they begin in history, but they diverge into newer views of how our tools can be made and used. Ergonomics and the idea of comfort play a very big part in my work - a comfortable, logical guitar will allow you to concentrate on the main thing - the music. Sustainability (pun intended) is also a big issue for me - I would like to use completely hand-rubbed finishes in all my guitars soon.

But unique is what I'm after. I want each guitar to be a unique piece. I am not interested in being a manufacturer - I want to make custom musical instruments that go well beyond. In this regard, if you see a "Tele" or a "Strat" or an "LP" or anything recognizable on my store or associated with Action Figure Studios, they will be the last ones I will make. I love these instruments and I cherish them but there are others (perhaps too many others) that make either the originals, or ones as their main line of business. That's great and I applaud everyone who in in the business of making instruments. But this is not my path and if you are reading this far, I suspect it's not your path either.

Come join me in custom, unique builds.

Just a bit more background:

I’ve also made many other things in my days including: architecture, interiors, furniture, lamps, exhibitions, photography, art and art installations, cars and trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, skateboards and more.

Each build has been an exercise in research, engineering, design, sourcing, fabrication, assembly, use and evaluation. It is a constant search for unique expression within the idea of the best possible fit, the highest quality and the most comfort and utility.

As a guitar builder, I am aiming to bring this experience and my skills along with my passion to build fine-quality instruments that are unique - that have their own sound, a specific feel and a great look.

Let me know if I can build one for you.


Action Figure Studios and Mehmet Dogu are NOT affiliated with Fender Musical Instrument Corporation. Fender®, Strat®, Stratocaster®, Relic®, Tele®, and Telecaster® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corp. We IN NO WAY IMPLY THAT WE BUILD OR SELL FENDER® GUITARS. This is NOT a Fender® guitar body or a Fender® finish, nor Fender Neck - these are custom guitars.

Please take a look at this interview!https://reverb.com/news/action-figure-studios-nfe-guitars-and-amplifier-at-summer-namm-2016

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