Best of Cleveland 2015: Album Cover Guitars

The concept is so rockin' that many shoppers have to check if Lackey Road Guitars' album cover guitars are functional. As they sling one on, they confirm that yes, these babies can lick, squeal and riff while showing off serious rock star cred with Pearl Jam's Lightning Bolt or Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon cover. Retired Strongsville High School teacher Dave Lackey builds the custom guitars by hand and shops for parts that complement record covers such as Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground or other hip items including a CLE Cigar Co. box. For example, the Boss' favorite Telecaster parts are the star of the Born in the U.S.A. guitar ($325). In a more classic riff, Lackey crafts a hybrid pine-body Les Paul Jr. Telecaster ($495). Fashioning the instruments that combine pop culture and guitar geekery since 2014, Lackey says what started as a behind-the-scenes hobby is becoming a headlining gig. "It's an obsession," he says. "My basement is filled with these." etsy.com/shop/lackeyroadguitars