How to Make an Electric Guitar

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Have some money.

   You don't want to spend too much, but get what you want for your guitar.
2. 2

   Step 2: Make sure you really want to do this

   , If you like a certain guitar, try to at least make some minor changes in the design to be original. , Make a full size drawing or print out of your design to use as a plan. , The most important tools you'll need would be a jigsaw or band saw, a belt or oscillating sander, and a drill.
   
   If you know a guy who knows a guy who's willing to help you out that is a good way to borrow the tools you need.
   
   You can also use hand tools if you want to improve your arm strength. , The sound will be affected by which one you choose, ebony has a much tighter grain and clear sound.
   
   You can also use maple wood for the fingerboard, but ONLY on electric guitars).
   
   Avoid using plywood, unless you are on a tight budget, as it will slightly effect the sustenance of your guitar in a negative way due to its lack of density, but if you don't really care, then go for it. (More Dense=More sustain.) Mahogany, Alder, etc. are good for bodies and necks, ebony and rosewood are good for fret boards, but any hardwood will do nicely. ,, Try not to mess up because this is very important. ,,,, Insert the truss rod in the channel with some powerful glue to secure it in place. , Go on the Internet and find the fret distances for a common scale length around 25". (scale length=double length from nut to the twelfth fret.
   
   Get a ruler and measure out the frets and cut slots for them to sit. , Sand out the radius and deepen the fret slots. ,,, Choose which of these you can make yourself, and which you MUST buy, because it will reduce the quality and sound of your guitar.
   
   You could buy the tuners, and electronics.
   
   You can also get a pickguard, and a nut.
   
   All a pickguard is made up of is plastic; you should be able to find some plastic in your house for free.
   
   All a nut is, is a small rectangular piece of bone, plastic or metal, you might be able to find something like that for free. ,, Follow the LifeGuide Hub article on how to paint your guitar. ,, ,
3. 3

   Step 3: making a guitar can take a while and will waste your good money if you decide to quit halfway through.

4. 4

   Step 4: Look through guitar magazines and on the Internet for inspiration for a design.

5. 5

   Step 5: Once you have a design make a scale drawing of it on graph paper

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   Step 6: or if you are good with computers draw it on a vector drawing program like CorelDraw.

7. 7

   Step 7: Get access to power tools.

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   Step 8: Get some nice pieces of wood for the body (alder and ash are most commonly used for their sound - ash is heavier but is less expensive and alder is a lot nicer because it is lighter but probably a bit harder to find and a little more expensive)

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   Step 9: the neck (any type of maple is good for this)

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    Step 10: and the fretboard (ebony and rosewood are the two most common woods for this.

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    Step 11: Trace your design onto the wood for the body

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    Step 12: include the outline and anywhere else where there will be holes or cavities for the electronics.

13. 13

    Step 13: Cut out the body with your jigsaw or band saw (or hand saw).

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    Step 14: Hollow out the cavities for the electronics and pickups

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    Step 15: and the area where the neck sits

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    Step 16: and drill holes for the neck to be bolted on to.

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    Step 17: Sand down the body

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    Step 18: round out sharp edges

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    Step 19: and do whatever you want to finish the body.

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    Step 20: Get the wood you want to use for the neck

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    Step 21: make some rough cuts to get a basic shape

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    Step 22: cut out the area where the truss rod goes.

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    Step 23: You can get a truss rod at guitar stores

24. 24

    Step 24: repair shops

25. 25

    Step 25: the Internet

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    Step 26: or you could go to a hardware store and buy a threaded rod.

27. 27

    Step 27: Glue the fretboard on

28. 28

    Step 28: use wood glue.

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    Step 29: Now you must radius the fretboard

30. 30

    Step 30: and the only good way to do it is to get a radius sanding block on the Internet or at luthier supply stores.

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    Step 31: Get fret wire

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    Step 32: pre bend it to the approximate radius and hammer it in.

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    Step 33: Now you can make final cuts to your neck

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    Step 34: drill holes for the tuners and neck blots

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    Step 35: and sand it to its final shape.

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    Step 36: Get a pickguard

37. 37

    Step 37: bridge

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    Step 38: tuners

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    Step 39: and electronics.

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    Step 40: Assemble your guitar to see how it looks

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    Step 41: now disassemble it.

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    Step 42: Get some quality spray paint and primer at a hardware store.

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    Step 43: Let it completely dry for a couple of weeks.

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    Step 44: Assemble your guitar

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    Step 45: assemble the electronics (you'll need a soldering iron and know how to use it.)

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    Step 46: String it up

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    Step 47: plug it in

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    Step 48: and rock out!

Detailed Guide

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