Build Your Own Electric Guitar

From LoveToKnow Guitar

Have you ever though about how difficult it would be to build your own electric guitar? There are many different approaches to tackling this project if you are interested. If you are new to building things, some companies make kits that do a lot of the work for you and are very straightforward to assemble. However, if you want to get more technical and have more control over the guitar you build, you can acquire plans and build your guitar from scratch. This article will talk a little about building your own guitar before turning you on to some resources that will help you take the project from conception to reality.

Why Build a Guitar?

Some people might wonder, "Why you would ever want to build your own guitar when there are hundreds of thousands of great guitars available in music stores that are ready to play?" There are many answers to this question. For some, building something as functional and cool as an electric guitar is a thrill in itself. Others like the idea of being able to build a guitar to the exact specifications they want. For some people, it is also a way to own a great guitar for less money than it would cost to buy one from the music store. Whatever your reasons are for wanting to build an electric guitar, there are plenty of ways to go about it.

Kits

The simplest way to go about building an electric guitar is to buy a kit. The kits typically include everything you need from the body and the neck to the hardware and electronics. They even include the strings! Since they are designed for the novice builder, these kits are usually very affordably priced. With most [[Electric Guitar Kits | electric guitar kits, minimal tools are needed to complete the projects since the parts are already cut, routed and ready for you to screw together.

Plans

If you want to build from scratch, the first thing you will need to find is a set of building plans to help you along with the process.

  • E Guitar Plans – E Guitar Plans sells full building plans in PDF format for six dollars. Each plan includes a detailed view with measurements, a list of materials, template outlines, sample wiring diagrams and tips for construction. They also have some really cool and unique plans to choose from.
  • Chicken Wing Plans – These plans are for the Chicken Wing, a basic solid body electric guitar with a very unique design. They are available in PDF format, and the best part is they are free!
  • Music Instrument Makers Forum – The Music Instrument Makers Forum sells plans for fifteen dollars each for a number of classic guitars including the '59 Les Paul Junior, Telecaster, Stratocaster, Gibson SG, and Hondo "V".

Tools

Here is a partial list of tools you will likely need to build your guitar:

  • A router and router bits
  • Jig saw
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Belt sander
  • Clamps
  • Soldering iron and solder

You might also find a drill press, Dremmel and an orbital sander useful. If you don't have these tools already or have access to someone who does, this project could get extremely expensive very quickly, so make sure you are aware of what you are in for.

Other Build Your Own Electric Guitar Resources

If you set out to build your own electric guitar from scratch, the one thing you can never have enough of is information. The following books and links will be invaluable to you as you complete your project.

Online Resources

Below are two excellent resources for you as you begin to build your project.

Books
  • Build Your Own Electric Guitar – This book is the bible of electric guitar building, and attempting to build a guitar without it would be foolish. It includes full-sized plans as well as tips and tricks for every step of the building process. It's a real must have.
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