Embarking on the journey of crafting your own guitar is an incredibly rewarding experience for any musician or woodworking enthusiast. To bring your dream instrument to life, sourcing the right materials is paramount. This guide outlines the essential components you’ll need and directs you to reputable suppliers to kickstart your guitar building project.
Sourcing quality wood is the first step. For the body, mahogany is a popular choice due to its warm tone and sustain. Maple, known for its bright and articulate sound, is excellent for guitar necks. Local carpenters can be valuable resources for sourcing these woods. Alternatively, specialized suppliers like Stewmac (https://www.stewmac.com/) offer a wide selection of tonewoods specifically for instrument making. Stewmac is a comprehensive online retailer with an extensive inventory of guitar building supplies, from wood to hardware and electronics. They are a go-to source for many luthiers due to their quality products and international shipping. Another online option for hardware is Guitarfetish (https://www.guitarfetish.com/), which offers competitively priced parts. However, for a broader range of specialized luthier tools and components, Stewmac remains a leading choice.
A pre-slotted fretboard is highly recommended, especially for first-time builders. The fretboard is crucial for accurate intonation and playability. Inaccuracies in fret slotting can lead to tuning problems and fret issues. Stewmac offers pre-cut fingerboards (https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Fingerboards/Slotted_Fingerboard_for_Fender_Guitar_Compound_Radius.html) ensuring precision and saving significant time and potential errors.
The truss rod is another essential component within the neck. It counteracts string tension, preventing the neck from bowing. A dual-action truss rod (https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Truss_Rods/Adjustable_Truss_Rods/4mm_Allen_Nut_Hot_Rod_Truss_Rod.html) is advantageous as it allows for adjustments in both directions, correcting both concave and convex neck issues. These modern truss rods also simplify installation with their constant depth slot requirement, unlike traditional curved slot truss rods.
For fretting, Stewmac medium fretwire (https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Fretwire/StewMac_Medium_Fretwire.html) is a versatile and popular choice, offering a comfortable playing feel and good tone.
Tuners are crucial for maintaining tuning stability. Gotoh Schaller-style tuners (https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/Gotoh_Schaller-style_Knob_6-In-Line_Tuners.html) are reputable for their reliability and smooth operation.
For the guitar’s electronics, consider Strat knobs (https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Knobs/Strat_Knob.html) and Alpha potentiometers (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Potentiometers/Alpha_Control_Pots.html) for volume and tone controls. A 5-way super switch (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Switches/Oak_Grigsby_Super_Switch.html) expands tonal possibilities beyond standard configurations, offering more pickup combinations.
String ferrules (https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_String_and_Neck_Ferrules/Guitar_String_Ferrules.html) and TUSQ XL string trees (https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/String_Trees_and_Retainers/TUSQ_XL_String_Trees.html) are essential hardware for string anchoring and proper string angle over the nut. Plastic side dot material (https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Binding_and_Trim/Side_Dots/Plastic_Side_Dot_Material.html) provides visual fret markers along the side of the neck.
For pickups, while winding your own is an advanced technique, starting with pre-wound pickups is highly recommended for beginners. Consider exploring pickup kits (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90_Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90_Pickup_Kit_with_Fiber_Bobbin.html) or pre-made options from Stewmac or other reputable brands. Pickup covers (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90_Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90_Pickup_Cover.html) are cosmetic but contribute to the overall aesthetic.
For those seeking extended sonic possibilities, adding piezo pickups (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pickups/Electric_Guitar_Pickups/Ghost_Prewired_Saddle_Pickup_Set.html) and a preamp (https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Preamps_and_Cables/Acousti-Phonic_Onboard_Preamp.html) can introduce acoustic-like tones to your electric guitar. However, for beginners, focusing on standard wiring and components is advisable to simplify the build process.
Building your own guitar is an ambitious yet achievable project. By carefully selecting quality parts from reliable sources like Stewmac and Guitarfetish, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a unique instrument tailored to your preferences. Remember to prioritize essential components and gradually explore more advanced techniques as you gain experience in guitar making.
