How to Make a Solid Body Electric Guitar

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Create (or find on the internet) a technical drawing and make a parts list.

   If you don't have a large printer use many pieces of paper taped together (poster mode on some printers).
   
   To get it perfectly to scale will take some work.
   
   First print until you get a complete dimension that you can measure (may take several pages).
   
   Measure the length of the segment.
   
   Now multiply the height of the picture in pixels, by the labeled length of the segment and divide that by the actual measured length of the segment.
   
   This will give you your new height.
   
   Use paint to re-size to this new height and make sure you select Maintain aspect ratio.
   
   Repeat this step at least twice for maximum accuracy. , Usually a butt joint is strong enough but if you want high quality use a biscuit or dowel joint.
   
   Remember if you are using two pieces thick to not put two joints together.
   
   Stagger the joints.
   
   From an end view incorrect looks like ├────┼────┤ four pieces meet at one point.
   
   Correct would look like ├────┬─┴────┤ , Tape the paper down and use a pushpin to make a small indentation following the line every inch or so for large radius' and straights and 1 every 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) or so for detailed areas.
   
   Play connect the dots with a pencil after removing the paper to get the shape of your body and the body cavity , Finish it up with a drum sander. (remember the faster you move your wood on a drum sander the better the result.
   
   Always use quick repetitive motions.) ,, (If you are using a hardwood you MUST use a band saw to cut close to the outside of your pattern or the bit will grip the wood and destroy your guitar as well as possibly injuring you.
   
   Make sure the bearing is touching the pattern and go the correct direction for your router/bit.
   
   GO SLOWLY.
   
   Don't worry about burning the wood your going to have to sand it anyway. , Don't do the neck yet, we'll get to that later.
   
   Before routing the cavities use a drill press to remove a good amount of wood to make routing easier. (Remember the less routing on a guitar the less chance to screw up) , Test it on the neck to make sure it fits perfectly.
   
   Once it does carefully align the neck template with the rest of the body (THIS IS IMPORTANT it must be lined up accurately!).
   
   Use double sided tape to stick the template to the body then route the same as the pickup and body cavities. ,,, Next look up how to wire and install the electronics and output jack and the bridge.
   
   You may want to colour it.
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   Step 2: Print/draw a full scale model of the drawing.

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   Step 3: Get your wood.

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   Step 4: Layout your scaled drawing onto a piece of ply-wood NOT your guitar body wood.

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   Step 5: Use a drill press and file to do the body cavity and pickup holes (NOT the neck pocket though) and use a jig/scroll saw or a band saw to cut the outside.

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   Step 6: Once you are satisfied with the plywood pattern

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   Step 7: use double sided tape (carpeting tape from any home store works great) to attach the pattern to your body wood blank.

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   Step 8: Use a table router with a pattern bit or a laminate trimming bit to route the outside.

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   Step 9: Use a hand router with a pattern cutting bit to route out the pickup and body cavities.

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    Step 10: Trace the heel of the neck onto a separate piece of plywood and use a jigsaw/band saw and a miter gauge as well as a rounded file to make the neck pocket pattern.

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    Step 11: Use a Surform planer to carve to contour of the back and arm if desired (some people say that a spokeshave also works well but I didn't have much luck with it).

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    Step 12: Sand the entire body with 100-150 grit sandpaper (orbital or palm sanders work fine) followed by 200 and 250-300 grit paper and a final wet sanding of 350 grit by hand.

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    Step 13: This will give you the basic body shape that you want for a guitar.

Detailed Guide

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