Build Your Own Guitar – My Working Guide

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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 =)

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