Off Topic Building a guitar

[musicmanguitar]

Well i have been playing the guitar for a long time .. always wanted to try and build one and i either never had the time.. Until recently I got laid off work, and have some free time when im not in school, So now i have some free time i am going to build a guitar.
I am pretty excited about this. and since this is my first time build, I definitely would like some advice.

 

[TNT]

don't!!

If you are talking about building a "playable" guitar, that will intonate, stay in tune, precisly positioned and anchored frets, have correct harmonics, incorporate accurate scale length(s), have exact string margin/distance, . . . . . . . . . .

 

[beej]

I did it when I was in high school- took a course at local store that offered it. One of the best things I'd ever done, really. I re-build that guitar a dozen times, but it was my one and only for years and saw countless gigs. Of course, I had help with the build ... would have been near impossible on my own with no real tools.

When you say build ... there's a wide range that can cover. You can buy parts, assemble them and do your own fretwork, etc. Or you can actually make the bodies and neck. There's obviously a lot more involved with the latter, so I'd say a lot depends on how good you are with woodworking and what kind of tools you have access to.

Regardless, there's a lot of information available online, so you can see what you're in for. Either way, I think it's a pretty involved project, but it can be immensely rewarding if you're up for it.

 

[slofingers]

building a guitar

I have now built two of them with the bodies made from an ash tree I cut down in my backyard. One is a solid body electric cross between a Les Paul, Strat, and Tele. It has been reinvented about four times and is now in it's final configuration. The second one I built is a sort of copy of a 335. Well, it used to be. I hated the way it came out and cut the neck off and started re-configuring the body. Get ready for it to be an all consuming adventure. Go to bed at nite thinking about what you did that day, and the wake up early thinking about what you are going to do this day. Probably the best tip I could give you is use the two-way truss rod. Also, it's surprisingly expensive to build your own guitar. Great satisfaction though when you plug it in.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Easier ways to go would be to start out with a kit. There are plenty of companies who will sell you the basic kit with whatever you want. Consider the finish you want. If you take your guitar to a pro to put the paint on it, be prepared to pay $300 for it. Lots of guys use Tung oil or another easy, cheap finish that shows the wood. I can tell you that I spent $75 in materials to do the first finish on my Sublhouette and wasn't happy with it and am in the process of painting it black.

There are forums dedicated to building guitars. Find them and lurk through. The skill and tools and patience needed to hand build a guitar from nothing are far beyond what I have.

I've considered buying one of the Carvin kits and have priced out different options. But then, I also follow prices in used guitar stores. I can buy a complete guitar built by the factory (used) for less than the basic kit would cost me.

 

[marsguitars]

I built a guitar for a friend when I was about 18 and known to be "good at woodwork". Tele shape, 3-piece Canadian Rock Maple body with "comfort contour" a la Strat and weighed a ton! My mate was insistent that it be as thick as possible - great for tone, bad for shoulder pain!

I bought the neck - "cheating", I know, but more realistic for the beginner and still needs lots of accurate measurement and careful cutting.

Good luck with your project, I hope you enjoy the journey.

PS: My only advice: take your time, don't be in a hurry.

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

No advice, I've never done it. I've thought about it many times. Every time I go to the luthier show in Healdsburg, CA (highly recommended, by the way) I'm tempted to buy a kit. I just don't have the time right now...

Post pics and regular updates, OK? I'm really curious about this. Good Luck!!

 

[slofingers]

I'd like to put a pic of guitar I made with my username. I have'nt figured out how yet. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could help me out.
It took me 4 tries to get the neck made right. I did buy the fretboard already slotted though. So I guess I cheated a little bit.

 

[EBM-Woman]

Is it possible to have a guitar built for me that is extremely light? It hurts to stand and play for too too long on my shoulders, but I didn't know if lighter meant sacrificing the quality of materials or however that works.

Edit post, sorry: Electric guitar (I've been wanting to get into this instrument for awhile!)

 

[fbecir]

If you want to build a guitar, the best way to learn is to find a luthier who can teach you. A few years ago, I found a luthier who was organizing a one week course. It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot.
At the end, I was the proud owner of a perfectly playable guitar that I use for several gig.