Singer Justin Vernon has designed an unusual guitar to be auctioned off to raise money for an arts project in his Wisconsin hometown.

The Bon Iver frontman joined forces with bespoke instrument creator Gordy Bischof to create a one-off instrument using barrels donated by Bushmills Irish whiskey, with whom Vernon has a sponsorship deal.

The pair has decided to donate all proceeds raised from the lot to the Confluence Community Arts Center in their hometown of Eau Claire.

The guitar, named The 1608, is handcrafted from white oak wood and maker Bischof had some fun with the design, even adding Bushmills bottle caps for the volume and tone controls.

In a final flourish, he added a touch of Bushmills to the humidor in the guitar case to ensure the instrument smells of whiskey.

The guitar is on auction on eBay.com until 16 November and has attracted bids of up to $8,100.

Vernon says, "The goal is to really put art back on the map. Far too many of us artists from Eau Claire have had to leave because what we wanted to do with our life just wasn't possible here.

"That is what the Confluence Project is... to build a centre that can really be a nucleus for art and culture here in Eau Claire." (LM/WNWCRS/ZN)