How Do I Build My Own Electric Guitar?

Question

Any ideas which WOODS i should use?

i need something lightweight, strong and cheap.

Thanks :)

xx

Answer 1

There are kits that let you pick the body, neck, pick-ups etc.

Answer 2

Get a book on it. It's way too complicated to describe here. And you don't want anything too lightweight or cheap for the neck.

Answer 3

Carvin.com is another source for kits.  

You need something strong for the neck and brige to take the tension from the strings without warping or breaking - most people use maple.

The body's a different story.  Alder seems to be the less-expensive wood of choice - the purists say anything softer than that lessens your sustain and can give a somewhat "muddy" sound.  

That said, the vast majority of the sound comes from the pickups rather than the body, and I've seen electrics with bodies made from all kinds of stuff - pine, poplar, hubcaps, styrofoam - that sounded fine.  If you use a single piece of strong wood (maple) long enough to form the neck and extend all the way to the tailpiece, so that you can mount the bridge on it, you can make the body out of just about anything.  Luthiers call this "neck-through" construction.

If you really want to go low-end DIY, google "cigar box guitar".  Cool stuff.

Answer 4

It would be easier to start out with a kit.  You put a finish on the wood, and assemble the guitar.  In the process, you see everything that goes into an electric guitar.

Grizzly is one place that has guitar kits.

http://grizzly.com/products/searchresult...

Answer 5

i think you should just go buy one i mean how the h*** do you think you can build youre own?? wow. if you do decide to build youre own maybe you should use mahogany wood it burns better so that when you realize you made a horrible mistake you can go have a bonfire.

hope i helped