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Make Your Own Electric Guitar

Make Your Own Electric Guitar has been the standard reference work for aspiring guitar makers since 1986 and the second edition is completely revised and updated. Everything you need to know to design and build your own electric guitar is included in its 224 pages. With over 300 photographs and 100 line drawings it is informative and easy to understand.

Chapters include Designing Your Own Guitars, Fretting, Truss Rods, Wood Choice, Electrics and Setting Up and a three guitars are built from scratch through the book with each stage illustrated.

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41 thoughts on “Make Your Own Electric Guitar”

  1. distributor question
    Jorge Dávalos

    When I bought the first edition, it was throug a local instrument seller, but for this edition, they dont have it in stock here in México City. Is there a dealer for this book in México?

      1. Re: dimensions
        benny

        : : i would like to know the dementions of a Gibson Les Paul.as im planing on making one in the future and would like to know the actual size.. cheers

  2. 12 string nut spacings for strings
    Bob Rosa

    I have what I think is a very simple question. I have a 12-string Hofner. I have to make a new nut for it and I do not have the old one. The neck dimension is 1.775". What is the correct spacing between the strings, and how far in from the edge do I start the grooves?

    THANKS!!

  3. i need to know how to make a bass guitar
    Tyler Hilburn

    I am going to try and atempt to make my first guitar every and i dont know how to do that. Please help!

    1. Re: i need to know how to make a bass guitar
      t

      : I am going to try and atempt to make my first guitar every and i dont know how to do that. Please help!

      i need the measurements for my wood shop class

  4. string length
    luke

    what is the length of the string from the nut to the bridge on an electric guitar bacause i cannot get the 12th fret harmonics on my home made guitar

    1. Re: standard electric guitar dimensions
      santosh Bandal

      : I am designing an electric guitar and looking for standard dimensions fo existing classics.
      : Can anyone hepl me to get some overall dimensions (length width depth) and perhaps a few detail specifics (l,w,d for body, fretboard, neck, details)?
      : any drawings or hepl would be greatly apreciated.

      1. Re: standard electric guitar dimensions
        bhosad

        the guitar should be between 1-2 meters. It should not be ane wider than half meter.
        Its thickness should be less than 15 cms if electric and less than 25 cm if acoustic. Fir tu Maa chuda lena.

    2. Re: standard electric guitar dimensions
      alex

      : I am designing an electric guitar and looking for standard dimensions fo existing classics.
      : Can anyone hepl me to get some overall dimensions (length width depth) and perhaps a few detail specifics (l,w,d for body, fretboard, neck, details)?
      : any drawings or hepl would be greatly apreciated.

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Peter
      Peter

      I am designing an electric guitar and looking for standard dimensions fo existing classics.
      Can anyone hepl me to get some overall dimensions (length width depth) and perhaps a few detail specifics (l,w,d for body, fretboard, neck, details)?
      any drawings or hepl would be greatly apreciated.

  5. i wanna make a guitar
    Aaron Henderson

    ya i think i have a good idea for a custom electric guitar and i would like and idea on cost, needs, tips and wutnot

    ~Aaron~~~~~~~Play till it bleads

    1. Re: i wanna make a guitar
      masina

      As for the cost of a guitar, if you can make the bridge yourself (wich isn’t that hard) and maybe even the pickups, and fingd the wood for it scrap you can make a guitar for pretty cheap; my first bas only cost me $80

    2. Re: i wanna make a guitar
      Dylan fitch

      : I was wondering how mutch it would cost to build your own les pual style solid body with the wiring and humbuckers and neck.

      :
      : ~Aaron~~~~~~~Play till it bleads

      1. Re: i wanna make a guitar
        masina

        if you find the wood scrap and can make a bridge (not too hard) and maybe even make your own pickups you can make a guitar for pretty cheap; my first bass only cost me $80, and I had no materials for it before a started.
        : :
        : : ~Aaron~~~~~~~Play till it bleads

  6. Awsome..customly made
    Kyle Smith

    ive been searching around for something on building my own guitar…..the others i have purchased are ok but i want to crate one that fits me good..i think this is great…….talk to me…im me..er…something like that

  7. PLEASE HELP IM IN A DILEMA
    ben darby

    Hi guys i was wondering if anyone uot of teh kindest of there hearts would send em some infomation on ho i go about building an electric guitar. I need basic and advanced info as this is helping me with my a – level investigations. cheers
    ben darby

  8. building a guitar
    Bryce Berthelsen

    Hey Im building a guitar and no one thinks I can doo it. I’ve got the stock and head finished, but I haven’t started on the sides or the top or bottom. I must have it done before Friday. Do you think it’s posible?? thank you for your time.

    1. Re: building a guitar
      Joe Henry-MacDonald

      Hey i am going to build a V-Guitar or a regular electric guitar for a school project in Woodshop at Braintree High School in MA. i have to have it done by december and i have no idea where to find instructions on how to build this. if you could send me some that would be the greatest thing ever happened. cause when we are all done with our final projects of our choice i want people to notice mine so then i can mabye have some people say stuff like thats awesome. It is also my dream to make a guitar and this is my chance to make my dream come true. if you could please email me back that would be awesome. my name is joe and i am 16 years old. thanks you

  9. i would love to own your book
    Jaime-lee

    hi, im doing work experience in a wood working joinery and i would love to own oyur book so i can make a guitar.
    i live at 2 nobles lane bellingen 2454 nsw thanks heaps!!!

  10. i have some ideas
    dylan crow

    i have some ideas for some guitars i’m not going to tell you right now because i dont want no one to still the ideas but i need help makeing them so write back to me if you can get a com. to do it

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