How to Build a Simple Electric Guitar at Home with Common Household Items

Introduction

Building your own electric guitar at home can be a fun and rewarding project. With some common tools and materials easily found around the house, you can make a playable instrument without spending a lot on expensive guitar-making supplies.

The process does require some woodworking skills and patience, but with a simple design, you can have your own guitar ready to plug in and play in a weekend. I will walk you through the entire process step-by-step, from choosing materials and cutting the body, to installing the electronics and strings.

Gather Tools and Materials

Before starting on the guitar build, you will need to gather some basic tools and materials. Here is what you will need:

Tools

• Table saw or jigsaw
• Drill and drill bits
• Wood file
• Sandpaper (coarse and fine grit)
• Soldering iron
• Clamps
• Safety gear (gloves, eye protection, etc.)

Materials

• Wood for the body - plywood, dimensional lumber, solid wood board
• Neck - premade guitar neck or wood to shape your own
• Bridge - premade or salvaged from another guitar
• Tuning machines
• Pickups and pots - single coil, humbucker or piezo acoustic
• Jack plate
• Strings
• Paint/stain and finishing supplies (optional)

Many of these you can find already in your garage, workshop or basement. The body and neck wood can be purchased at your local hardware store. You may also find used parts like bridges, tunings keys, and electronics on auction sites online.

Make the Guitar Body

The guitar body can be made from a range of common wood boards, depending on the shape, style, and sound you want to achieve.

Here are some good options:

• 3/4" plywood - For a solid, lightweight Stratocaster or Telecaster style body
• 2" dimensional lumber - Gives a thicker Les Paul style body
• 1" solid wood boards - Great for a thinner, resonate acoustic guitar body

Once you have your wood, cut it to the size and shape of the guitar design you have chosen. Use a table saw or jigsaw to make the cuts. Leave some extra wood on the edges for the moment.

Next, you will want to route cavities for the electronics and hardware. Mark the locations on the body and carefully drill and chisel out the areas. Refer to guitar diagrams to get the sizing correct.

Finally, shape the edges of the body with files and sandpaper. Round off corners and carve any bevels or contours. Finish it off by gradually sanding up to a fine grit.

Attach the Neck

The easiest option for a beginner guitar build is to use a premade replacement neck. These can be bought online or salvaged from a cheap used guitar.

To attach the neck:

• Line up the neck heel to the pocket in the body
• Drill small pilot holes
• Secure with wood screws through the pilot holes
• Try to get a tight seam where the neck heel meets the body

If you want to shape your own neck, that is also possible with more specialized tools and expertise. There are many neck dimensions and profiles to choose from.

Install the Bridge and Hardware

The bridge transfers the strings' vibrations into the guitar body. There are many types, but here are some commonly used on homemade guitars:

• Hardtail/fixed bridge - Simplest option. Secured in place on body. Strings are locked at bridge saddles.
• Tremolo bridge - Allows changing string pitch by moving bridge with tremolo arm. More difficult installation.
• Acoustic bridge - Usually has a movable saddle to adjust string height on acoustic guitars.

The tuning machines at the headstock end tighten and tune each string. You can use any typical guitar tuners, just be sure they fit the headstock properly.

Other hardware like strap buttons and a pickup selector switch can also be added now. Refer to diagrams of professional guitars to determine exact placement.

Install the Electronics

The pickups and wiring harness are what turn your wooden guitar into an electric guitar. There are a few steps:

• Solder pickups to volume and tone pots. Refer to pickup manufacturer diagrams.
• Push pots into routed cavities and screw down pickup covers
• Solder ground wires to bridge/strings and output jack
• Connect output jack to an amp and test electronics

Getting clean solder joints and wiring the electronics correctly takes practice. Seek help online or from an experienced friend for this part if needed.

Apply Finish and Strings

You now have a completed guitar ready to play! A paint or stain finish will protect the wood and make it look great.

Finally, restring your guitar with a typical set of 6 strings at standard tuning. Plug into an amp, and enjoy playing your homemade instrument!

Conclusion

Building a simple electric guitar at home is an achievable weekend project using common tools and scrap wood. While it takes careful work, you will end up with a playable, unique guitar to call your own without spending much money. Feel free to experiment with different body shapes and electronic configurations. With this guide, you now have the knowledge to build a homemade electric guitar!