Guitar Plans – How I Made My Own Acoustic Guitar

Posted on October 30, 2010 by admin

Hello, my name is Nicole Baker and welcome to my guitar plans website. I had my son help me set up this website as I’m not a really computer savvy person, but I was inspired by my husband to put this little site together so that I can share how I made my very own custom acoustic guitar. In this site, you’ll come across the tips and tricks I learn before starting this little venture as well as step by step instructions and even the guide that I followed.

When I first started, looking for guitar plans, I had no idea where to start. My son suggested that I searched online with the intention of just buying a 2nd hand one for cheap. But it was going to be an anniversary gift for my husband and I didn’t want to just buy into his heart with a pre made acoustic guitar. What’s more, some of them were just plain if not costly, and let’s just not forget the shipping costs and taxes included with them. That being said, I began to consider building my very own custom acoustic guitar and using the woodwork shack we have as project to keep me busy.

So I searched online once again for some free guitar plans, but what I found only made me frustrated as they information or guides provided don’t tell me exactly how to make my own acoustic guitar. So in the end, I wasted not only my time but a lot of my effort reading through countless half filled articles. After a few weeks of searching, I finally stumbled across a truly easy to follow diagram filled guide called Woodworking4Home.

“Click Here To See The Step-By-Step Guitar Plans I Followed To Making My Custom Acoustic Guitar”

The guitar plans I found only cost me 49 bucks, but considering the time that I might be spending to buy an actual acoustic guitar and the side benefits (14,000 other wood working plans) that come with the guide, I’ll be saving 100’s of dollars in the long run. Obviously it is much better than me buying a pre-built custom acoustic guitar. Here are some photos of what the Woodworking4Home guide looks like.

step by step woodworking guitar plans

different types of woodworking plans preview

To help you get a rough idea on what the Woodworking4Home is about, here is a list of their contents:-

  • 14,000 Plans & Projects
  • Instant Access
  • High Quality
  • Free Updates
  • Free Bonuses
  • Full Range of Projects
  • Tried And Tested
  • Suitable For Beginners
  • Suitable For Advance
  • Cost Effective
  • Money Back Guarantee

So my anniversary gift was a splendid success. Me and my husband exchanged acoustic guitars and do duets at our local church gatherings every now and then. It took me a few weeks of shear frustration to find this guide, but it sure cost me less than $200 because of all the materials the guide suggested to me which are cheap and easily available.

my guitar

So thank you for reading my site. I hope that you’ll have a good idea what to do now when you’re building your own custom acoustic guitar by yourself! I hope you’ll enjoy customizing your own acoustic guitar as much as I have and cherishing your work and music to its fullest.

To find out more about the Woodworking4Home guide:

arrowdowntriple Guitar Plans – How I Made My Own Acoustic Guitar

“Click Here To See The Step-By-Step Guitar Plans I Followed To Making My Custom Acoustic Guitar”

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Build Your Own Guitar – My Working Guide

Posted on October 28, 2010 by admin

To find out more about guitar making and how to design and customize your own guitar, Click Here.

So in my previous guitar making post I gave you several tips on what you’ll need to get and take into consideration before you decide to build your own guitar. So it took me awhile to actually find some of the more specific items that I needed from that list as well. But once I did, I knew I could at least begin working on my first guitar.

One

So first thing’s first, you need 3 sheets of wood (either cedar or spruce) with the measurements of 36×24 inches.

Two

Next you’ll need to craft the sound board and back board. Do this by first tracing the front and back of the particular guitar design onto the sheet of wood. When you’re done, grab the jigsaw and begin to cut out the design based on the trace you did earlier. You can also use the clamp and simply clamp down two pieces of wood sheets to save you time from cutting 2 individually. Make sure when you’re done that both cutouts are of equal shape and size. Next you’ll need to use the router and cut out a round sound hole into the middle of your front piece.

(Tip: The larger the hole, the more treble it creates, the smaller the hole, the higher bass it creates.)

Three

The next step requires you to cut 2 pieces of wood that are about 5 inches in width. Make sure you can at least wrap halfway pass the guitar body. You’ll need to get a bucket of boiling hot water for this next step. Simply soak one of the pieces of wood for about 30 seconds then quickly shape it based on your guitar body. Repeat as many times as necessary to get the shape you desire. This will take time, and will require a little agility on your part as well as patience. Remember, you’re shaping 2 pieces, so take your time.

Four

When you’re done with step 3, you’ll need to connect each of your shaped sides using a block of wood and some wood glue. Carefully glue the sides to the wood block, one from the top and bottom. What does matter is that your wood strips are glued resembling as close as possible to your guitar’s design dimensions. Use the clamp to clamp down on the sides of the wood blocks and leave it to dry.

Five

The glue might take awhile to dry thoroughly, but once it’s set in, feel free to go ahead and start attaching the braces. Now this part might require you to do some more reading or get some tips from your local music shop, but the jist of it is that the position of the bracers will help determine the quality of the guitar sound.

Six

Once again, you’ll need to wait a little longer for the glue to completely dry off before you start lining the sides to make room for gluing the pieces of your homemade acoustic guitar. Do this by carefully placing notches along a thin piece of wood. When you’re done, use wood glue and attach this particular side pieces towards the bottom and top and leave it for a couple of days to dry.

Seven

Finally, when the wood glue is dry, attach the top end and bottom end of your custom guitar with wood glue. Leave it for a week or so to dry and when it does, lightly sand the surface to give it a smooth finishing. Congratulations, you have just completed your own custom acoustic guitar. As a finishing touch, garnish your guitar body with a wood stain to give it that glossy look.  Let it dry before picking it up and tuning it =)

If you want more detailed examples on building your own guitar, make sure you have a look at this step-by-step diagram Guitar Plans will saves you 50% more money.

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How To Build A Guitar – Tips and Tricks

Posted on October 27, 2010 by admin

I first wanted to learn how to build a guitar after I was introduced to its wonder and simplicity back in high school. My family wasn’t very well off and what little we had we would make it on our own. Chairs, tables, cupboards, floors, you name it, me, my brothers and dad would build it. So when it came to wanting to get my own guitar, my heart was crushed when I saw the prices.

30 years went by, and now I’m wishing I had the opportunity to relearn how to play a guitar. My husband who is an avid woodworker suggested that we’d make one for each as an anniversary gift. So here I am, looking for plans online to try and make a custom guitar for my hubby and myself. Along the way, I’ve learn a couple of tips or 2, and if you’re reading this, I hope this will help you too.

Tip 1 – Type of Wood

Like anything you build out of wood, the type of wood is most essential as it is the foundation to your guitar. The type of wood I would recommend is either cedar or spruce. What you’d like to do is get a few sheets of wood and slice them to about 0.25 inches in thickness. You need to make sure that the wood is durable but obviously lightweight as well. You would also need to prepare 2 small blocks of hard wood, at least 12 wood braces and the necessary tools such as wood glue, and wood stain.

Tip 2 – Getting A Guitar Template

To make things easier, it is best to get a guitar template. The guitar template will allow you to carefully trace the shape of several of your guitar pieces, saving you the time that is necessary to copy an existing measurement from another guitar or start from scratch. You can either download one of this online or buy one from your local woodwork shop / DIY shop.

Tip 3 – Getting The Necessary Equipment

Aside from wood, you’ll also need several additional items to complete the guitar. You’ll need some light sandpaper to give smooth out some of the rough edges before you piece them together. 2 Clamps to hold some of the pieces together. A Bandsaw or a Jigsaw to cut the pieces of wood. A router to cut the hole in a piece of wood to create the bass. Ready-made neck and bridge set to save you time from manually crafting some of them if you aren’t that skilled (like me). Oh and not to forget, guitar strings for the plucking =)

Tip 4 – Drying Time and Safety

Last but not least, it is best for your to work in a well ventilated area and wear the appropriate safety equipment such as leather gloves and a mask (if you want). Making a guitar is going to take some time. Follow the appropriate instructions on some of the accessories you have (e.g. bridge and neck set). Factor in drying time you’ll probably spend a good 2 to 3 weeks at the very least before you can clean up and touch up and play =).

If you’re looking for a step-by-step illustrated diagram on how to design, customize and build your own acoustic guitar, you’ll definitely want to look at this Guitar Plans.

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Welcome To Guitar Plans Dot Net

Posted on October 16, 2010 by admin

This blog provides information about guitar plans.

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