Building/Customising a Guitar

SpicyDuck · 26 Oct 2008 at 18:35

Anyone ever done this, and to what extent?

I was thinking of stripping down an old Guitar I have, but I think I'd rather start with a blank body/neck. Problem is, I'm not sure where I can buy those. I've found a couple of sites but they look really dodgy, to be honest.

Any links, advice or experience? Not quite sure what I have in mind yet, but I'd like something a little crazy and special.

Thanks.

Dingleberry88 · 26 Oct 2008 at 18:42

I started making a Flying V a few years back after buying the plans on eBay.

Only got as far as a rough cut of the body and neck though.

I should really get round to finishing it off...

Beerguzzler · 26 Oct 2008 at 18:45

I started to build a guitar but ran out of money before I got anywhere but I did do a lot of research and I would recommend going to http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php? and buying Melvyn Hiscock's "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" if you are serious about it.

edit: Also have a look at http://www.stewmac.com/ for the tools and equipment.

Naffa · 27 Oct 2008 at 10:35

Beerguzzler said:
Also have a look at http://www.stewmac.com/ for the tools and equipment.

I was going to recommend this site. It's simply the best place to go for all things to do with building guitars. The only problem is that some of the paints, finishes and what not, cannot be shipped over to the UK. But for tools, wood, bodys, etc, it cannot be beaten.

Toker · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:19

I've never built a guitar but as far as customising, I changed my Ibanez pickups to an EMG 81 and 85, this involved ripping out all the electronics (wiring, tone/volume pots, output jack, pickups, selector switch) and replacing, re-soldering them all. It was all a learning curve and diagrams didn't exist for my type of selector switch, so took a couple of re-solders to get that working correctly, but boy it was worth it

wolvers · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:28

I changed the pick-ups in my bro-in-laws fender. It was pretty easy, the wiring is very simple in an electronic guitar and the soldered joints quite large.