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The Best Electric Guitar Kits To Build

Tired of the same production line guitars that everybody’s using? Standout from the crowd by building your own personalized instrument. Check out these excellent DIY electric guitar kits, which you can build, modify and finish to create your very own “signature” axe.

Eddie Van Halen’s DIY guitar, “Frankenstrat“, is a shining example of how talent and creativity can turn cheap guitar parts into one of the most iconic electric guitars in history! Years later, this guitar is being mimicked by big name manufacturers, with price tags that are ridiculously steep compared to how much Eddie himself spent in building the original kit. Thankfully, a number of guitar manufacturers are offering DIY guitar kits at a price point that’s reasonable if not surprisingly low.

There are quite a number of electric guitar kits available, ranging from beginner friendly affordable packages to the more expensive kits that feature premium tone woods. From these, we have selected the best electric kits that cover a wide price range and style. In addition to letting you customize the body, neck and finish, these kits are compatible with 3rd party hardware, which means you can install high-end pickups, tuners and bridges to create your dream guitar. Regardless of what you plan to do with it, all you need is some basic woodworking knowledge (like being able to do some minor sanding), paint skills, and good old imagination to turn these kits into personalized instruments. If you have come to the point where off-the-shelf guitars are no longer cutting it, or you are curious about the guitar building process, order one of these kit guitars today.

Albatross Guitars GK057SM

Albatross Guitars GK057SM

If you have medium to advanced woodworking knowledge and tools, and you are looking for a guitar with nice contours, then we highly recommend the Albatross Guitars GK057SM Kit. This DIY LP Kit has a “raw” feel to it that gives you more freedom and control over the resulting finish and design.

The most notable feature of this kit is its LP style single cutaway body, carved from mahogany with an elegant arched flamed maple veneer top. The nice grains on the top and the elegant curve is quite surprising for a kit in this price range. The body is to be joined to a maple neck topped by rosewood fingerboard with great looking trapezoidal inlays. As expected from a kit this affordable, some sanding work is needed to get the finish right, and to get parts fit perfectly.

The headstock is already carved to shape, but you can make the changes that you want if you have the experience and tools to do so. The expected drawback from having this many customization options is that building difficulty is increased. Surprisingly, the default hardware that comes with it is fairly good, making them useful until you have enough budget to upgrade them. Many have been reporting that replacing the humbucker pickups have dramatically improved the sound of the guitar. If you’re looking to build your personalized LP at a modest price point then check this one out. Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com.

PYLE-PRO PGEKT18

PYLE-PRO PGEKT18

This affordable kit guitar is recommended for guitarists who have beginner to intermediate woodworking skills. The PGEKT18 is inspired by the popular Strat, featuring basswood for its double cutaway body, and a solid bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.

This kit will let you build your very own Strat style SSS configuration guitar that feature single coil pickups on the neck, middle position and bridge. It also comes with a the same tremolo bridge found on other Strats, which allow for more expressive control over your notes. Those that are new to building DIY guitar kits will appreciate the straightforward instructions that need to be followed to get this guitar working.

As expected, the neck is joined to the body via bolt-on configuration, and it sports a nice looking rosewood fretboard. Completing the guitar’s edgy look is its white pickguard and white plastic components. As it is, the Pyle Pro PGEKT18 is already a solid entry level guitar, but if you spray this instrument with your favorite finish and equip it with your Texas style single-coil pickups, you have for yourself a solid customized axe.. Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com.

Guitar Fetish 335 Kit

Guitar Fetish 335 Kit

If you’ve always wanted to build your very own ES-335 inspired guitar, then this is the kit for you. Featuring an all maple laminated front and back and flamed maple carved top, all unfinished so you can coat it however you want to.

The company ensured that this kit follows the original design, featuring a solid center block, and a true set neck. The downside to this however is that it will require quite a bit of woodcrafting know how to perfectly join together. The company does say that it will take patience and research, but when done right, the result is definitely going to put a smile to your face.

As expected, this guitar kit includes everything that you’ll need, down to the last bits with the neck already fretted and nut installed. So if you take your time to do your homework, the resulting instrument will be good to go – but since you’re building a custom guitar anyway, might as well get some upgraded accessories. Guitar Fetish is known for their range of guitar parts, accessories and guitar kits, so you can also shop for upgraded pickups and more importantly a Bigsby style bridge to beef up your custom semi-hollow even further. If you are serious about putting your “signature” on a semi-hollow then you should build this electric guitar kit!. Get the latest price & other information at Guitar Fetish.

Albatross Guitars GK007.1

Albatross Guitars GK007.1

Pre-carved electric guitar kits have come a long way and now there are quite a number of semi-hollow body guitar kits available. The Albatross Guitars GK007.1 kit is one of them, it assembles into a Thinline Telecaster style guitar complete with all the parts you need and building instructions.

The top of the guitar is made of basswood, while the back and sides are crafted from mahogany. It features a single F hole that gives the body an unmistakable chambered look. All the routing on the body is already done for you, which makes attaching the neck and all the hardware quick and convenient. Many agree that this is one of the easiest kit guitars to assemble straight out of the box. The kit will let you install two single coil pickups along with a 3 way pickup selector, volume knob and tone knob.

The pickguard is also included, featuring a simple look based on the popular semi-hollow electric guitar. Other features of this kit include a generic adjustable hard tail and tuners. Of course you can always opt to upgrade the pickups for better results, even better if you install Bigsby bridge to give the guitar a vintage look. Being a Telecaster, this kit will look great in whatever color scheme you prefer. If you are looking to have a nice project semi-hollow guitar, this is a great and affordable choice. Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com.

Saga LC-10

Saga LC-10

The Saga LC-10 is easily one of the most popular electric guitar kits on the market, and the reason is simple: everybody wants to have their own customized Les Paul! And the great thing about the SAGA LC-10 is that you won’t have to empty out your bank account to get one – with minimal wood working skills and less than 200 bucks, you yourself can afford to build your personalized LP.

This kit comes with everything that you need, including an easy to follow instructions that many first time builders appreciate. The body of the guitar is made of basswood, carved into the famous single cutaway LP shape. Obviously this is different from the usual mahogany but it is a common cost-effective alternative. The kit’s primary selling point is how well the arched flamed maple tops are built, many users have successfully applied various types of finishes including sunburst and goldtop without any problem. The body even comes with a classic white/black/white binding for added aesthetics.

The Saga LC-10 features a solid maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, again going against traditional mahogany – which for me is great because this guitar should sound slightly different. If you are still complaining, then you should just by an Epiphone Les Paul if you want accuracy for cheap. Like their other products, all holes are pre-drilled and the electronics are all pre-soldered, so you just have to set them in place after you have applied your preferred finish. This is definitely a steal. Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com.

Alston Guitars A006

Alston Guitars A006

Our list of electric guitar kits would not be complete without a sharp edged guitar for the rock and metal players. The Alston A006 kit will let you build your very own signature modified V shape guitar, which you can customize to match your attitude and playing style.

The body of this guitar is made of solid mahogany, carved flat into a great looking shape that will inspire you to rock out even more. A 22-fret rosewood fingerboard sits on top of the guitar’s mahogany neck, which joins the body via traditional bolts. As expected from a rock guitar, it comes with two humbuckers with straight forward controls that include a 3-way-switch, a volume knob and a tone knob.

The hardware of the guitar follows a mainly chrome theme, including the bridge, tuners and knobs. All you need to do is decide on the finish that you want and this guitar is all set. Building difficulty for this one is very minimal, especially since it utilizes a basic fixed bridge. You can turn up the heat even further by replacing the pickups with a metal friendly pair of humbuckers! Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com.

Video With Tips on Assembling Your Guitar



Related Article:

Our roundup of Cheap Electric Guitars

11 thoughts on “The Best Electric Guitar Kits To Build”

  1. guitar custom
    erez

    Hello I want to built prototype of a smart guitar, and after a prototype for selling. Now I need it to be very cheap for a prototype. Can you do custom made like drill holes on fretboard and engraving the neck for pcb. If yes i want measurements of the fretboard and neck and body. The shape is like fender strat.

    1. For a cheap strat style
      Jason

      For a cheap strat style guitar kit the one you need is the PYLE-PRO PGEKT18 which was selling for under $90 when I wrote this.

      You can drill holes wherever you want to – custom mods are what many people use these kits for. Just be aware that if you make a mistake you could damage the neck beyond repair and you’ll have to get another neck – but that’s part of the learning process and fun of doing custom modifications.

      Unfortunately the manufacturer doesn’t provide detailed measurements, but the box it comes in is 30.8″ x 3.2″ x 20.5″.

  2. Custom guitar kits?
    Beej52

    Is there anywhere I can buy a guitar kit and specify the components I would like in the kit? I’m planning a Thinline Tele project with humbuckers in both positions. Problem is that the only kits I’ve been able to find using humbuckers also have a Bigsby-style trem and I don’t want it. Any ideas?

    Beej

    1. your query on the Guitar site
      LupoUK

      Check out Precisionguitarkits.com, they are in Canada. I bought an LP style kit from them and asked for a 60s style neck with a 59 style body.
      I do not know if they do Teles, but if they do, I am pretty certain they’d route the body to any config you’d like.
      Alternatively, I’ve bought guitar bodies (for bolt ons) from Guitarbuild.co.uk. Quality and price were very good (they have special offers as well) and they have a large selection of configurations to choose from, and do custom jobs either as mods to one of their designs or completely to your custom spec. I had a really nice 1 piece Swamp Ash Tele body from them and asked to route a cavity into the back to fit a ‘ToneBar’ (a solid brass string retainer instead of string-thru ferrules). The guitar turned out great… shouldn’t have sold it…. 😉

  3. need special plans
    Markos

    GREETINGS!!! I am building my dream guitar and since I have a terminal illness and am 63 years of antiquity,I want to get rollin’ on this and have come up against a stone wall! The body for the guitar I am designing and planning to build, incorporates the Rickenbacker 360 body style. The guitar will not be a Rick copy but I love and have always loved, that Rick 360 body style but cannot get the plans or a kit or even any info on this Rick 360 style. If y’all can help me out in any way,shape or form, to get the plans or a kit or whatever for the body AND JUST THE BODY!!! of a Rick model 360,please PLEASE!!! get back to me when y’all can. Thanks a bunch and God bless!!! Markos Weber

    1. Rick kit
      Anonymous

      You can look for a Rickenbacker type clone on the Australian kit builders-Pitbull guitars.com site..
      Good quality..As is most a kits nowadays produced in China.. With the shipping from
      Australia. The price becomes about equal to the average kits available here.

  4. Great Guitars and Great Instructional Video's
    Kevin J. Leclerc

    I Had a Question… If you want to remove the inlays on the fretboard Block Square shaped now, but I prefer none on the first fret and Trapezoid or Vector inlays, from the 3rd fret down. It’s the $ 139 model Double Cutaway Les Paul Model. Also I prefer my B-5 Bigsby Vibrato as opposed to the Fender Floyed Rose Style, which it comes with. Is there any way around these 2 minor subtleties ?

    1. Bigsby B5 on Les Paul body
      Alexander

      Changing/removing inlays on fretboards would require above average wood working skills. If you’re up for it, there are some YouTube tutorials available that can help you.

      As for using your Bigsby B5, you will need the Vibramate B5 accessory to make it work with arched top body guitars. This video tutorial may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lgXwyC_tSc

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