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Scratch Built Electric Guitar

Scratch Built Electric Guitar
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The final for a music class I took was building an instrument. So I built this.

Wood:
Maple-Neck
Paduak-Body, headstock
Unknown-fretboard
Walnut-inlay

The electronic components were purchased as a set and then soldered together. The pickups were purchased separately. I added another switch to select either one or both of the coils on each pickup. All the control knobs except the smallest switch were machined on a lathe from aluminum.

The sound is not exceptional and there is some fret buzz, but you can plug this in and play it.

Please comment with any questions about the instrument and the building process.
31 comments
Jul 28, 2010. 12:53 AMTunesrlife says:
How and where did you make space for the electronic innards? I'm thinking about making a guitar myself and I'm wondering if I have the tool laying around for that or not.
Mar 15, 2011. 1:12 PMjrg3ni0us says:
Could someone please answer that, because I have the same question
Feb 20, 2012. 2:35 PMHazzard2theworld911 says:
If you dont have a router, you can use a drill press and a spade bit, but it takes alot longer, and it is quite messy! I professionally build Custom guitars, and I used that Technique on 5 of my older models... But they still turned out fine!
Jul 6, 2011. 6:55 AMDavid-Yezbak says:
guitar making is fun i make guitars i add a zero fret so i don't have to line the nut up correctly with the strings it's a good day out of making the guitar and it makes it sound better.

heres a pic of my guitar


your guitar is very good the design is very unique i should have done something like that all i did was add the rear end of the ghost from pac man to the head stock good job man.
Feb 2, 2012. 4:05 PMfreeza36 says:
just a single humbucker. it looks almost empty without more pickups or a pickguard
Feb 24, 2011. 8:11 AMfrikkie says:
I cant even play guitar,but seeing your instructable can always change my mind.
Freaken awesome!
Nov 12, 2010. 7:27 PMmcshawnboy says:
Is there an 'ible? Build photos? Do you sell plans? It looks cool ! I told a nephew I'd try to build him one, as both of his parents sell his stuff for their habits. I figure if it's not a name brand maybe he can hold on to it. Maybe I should buy the pick ups. Have you tried building an amp? He's also interested in a flute. Thanks!
Jul 4, 2010. 2:46 AMNiceBeats says:
that is insanely beutiful!
Jun 3, 2010. 2:45 PMCru2o says:
Totally awesome!
Dec 4, 2009. 10:19 AMmechaghostman2 says:
Did you build the pickups or did you buy them? I built an electric guitar, but I'm wanting to build another pickup for it, not just buy one.
May 31, 2010. 4:40 PMiamtoats says:
 Those are EMG Selects.
Not amazing sound.
I personally would go for EMG 81/85s or even better, Duncans.
Feb 28, 2010. 7:13 PMaceLED says:
how do u make the kneck and the headstock yourself?

Jan 21, 2010. 2:41 PMJunkyardmaster14 says:
can i use palochina for the neck?
Dec 6, 2009. 6:50 PMbloke2022 says:
pretty cool.
Oct 30, 2009. 3:57 PMJAZ97 says:
awsome and every thing but nect time use a candy apple red chrome finish or a wine red crome finish then it would look pro. also what music does it play
Sep 8, 2009. 9:37 AMrokkit says:
think its possible to build just a neck 2 fit an existing guitar?
Aug 4, 2009. 7:21 AMAquariumFish says:
I like the "No Finish" finish, I think it looks cool, and is that a neck thru?
Jul 30, 2009. 2:49 PMcormac3050 says:
Awesome!! How much did it cost altogether??
Jul 29, 2009. 1:29 AMajleece says:
Wow!! I am very impressed. This looks very precise and professional. Any way we could hear it?
Jul 29, 2009. 10:01 PMajleece says:
Awesome!
Jul 29, 2009. 11:44 AMjeff-o says:
Excellent craftsmanship! Any ideas on why the sound isn't so hot?
Jul 29, 2009. 6:21 PMjeff-o says:
Well that'll do it. :)
Jul 29, 2009. 7:27 AMThe Jamalam says:
Brilliant! Is this a first attempt? I'm jealous lol. Just one thing, you might want to try using lacquer to make a smooth finish. Other than that I love it! 5 stars!

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Author:benthekahn
Hi, I'm Ben. I like mechanical engineering, and using free stuff/"junk".