How To Build Your First Guitar : the ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR NON WOODWORKERS

In 2021, ANYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A GUITAR ! So here's a comprehensive guide to guitar making for anyone who's always dreamed of building a guitar from scratch, no matter if you already know your way around woodworking or not.

This is the first part of a two-part tutorial and it covers everything you should know before you actually start cutting the wood. The tutorial is a summary of every piece of information I could gather during my rather short guitar making journey. In any case, I hope it will help you!

I don't know when the second part will be released but it shouldn't take too long.

In the meantime, here is the list of everything mentioned in the video, with links whenever I could find them:

01 HAND TOOLS

* Japanese pull saw: Gyokucho Ryoba 9½
* Fretsaws: Knew Concept Fret Saw
I also use a Bahco Fret Saw 302
* Rasp: Shinto Rasp
* Clamps:
** Bessey Kliklamp
** Juuma Body Clamps
** Silverline Bar Clamps
* Chisels: Stanley Bailey Chisels
* Hand drill: Milwaukee M12
* Bits: Stanley wood drill bits, Irwin spade bits, Leman Forstner bits
* Spokeshave: can’t remember where I bought it, either Dieter Schmid Fine Tools or Dictum
* Handplanes:
** Stanley n°62 :
** Juuma Rabbet/Block Plane:
* Metal file: Sandvik metal files (the one in the video is the straight one, cut n°3, with a safe edge
Marking knife:
* Veritas marking knife:
* Marking gauge:
* Digital caliper: any cheap digital caliper will work
* Soldering station:
* Glues: PVA et CA glues are Soudal (Belgian brand); CA glue accelerator from Chestnut
* Fretcutter: mine is a DIY made from a Knipex cable cutter
* Fret slot cutting saw:
* Fret crowning file:
* Radius gauge:
* Fretboard guard:
* Fret rocker:

02 POWER TOOLS:

* Bandsaw: Makita LB1200F
* Router: Dewalt D26204
* Oscillating Spindle Sander: Triton TSPS450
Router bits:
* CMT Orange tools template bit (911.160.11)
* CMT Orange tools flush trim bit (906.095.11)
* Stanley 6.35 mm straight bit

03 TONEWOODS
For those of you who don't have the milling machines (table saw, planer, jointer), I highly recommend this web store for anything guitar-making-related!

04 PLANS

05 HARDWARE

06 DOWNLOADABLE CUTLIST

0:00 Intro
2:02 Guitar choice
2:23 Tools
11:23 Hardware & Electronics
12:26 Wood selection
15:08 Plan
17:54 Cut list
20:57 Workspace, time, budget, experience

[siamackzahedi]

Just completed my first build SOLELY thanks to this excellent video series. I’ve never used a saw, drill, anything before, but these videos made it possible to make my first guitar. Thank you for this invaluable resource!

[clohflw]

“Or whenever you’re feeling like an empty shell, crushed by the burden of adulthood.” That got deep fast.

[arthurmorgan]

That black telecaster has to be the most beautiful guitar i've ever seen in my whole life

[forbiddensun]

Amateur? Bullshit your work is fucking amazing. You are honestly an amazing luthier.

[BryonMondok]

Not only are you a gifted craftsman, you’re also a great communicator and content creator. Thanks for all the work you’ve put into this.

[matthewwhite]

A true artists eye, for only a couple years you show impressive levels of skill in luthiery sir

[BrownJumps]

You are such a legend, I fit EXACTLY into the demographic of your long title. Can't wait to make my first build!

[tchiksguitars]

* Fun story. Out of boredom and/or laziness, one day, I decided to call a wood store that is even closer to my house than the one I usually go to. So I picked up my phone and dialed the number. I asked them if they had WenGGGGé, and the guy immediately corrected me and told me it was pronounced WenJJJJe. Never set a foot in that wood store ever since, their loss.
How do you pronounce Wengé?

* Part two is in the making. When I put the clips back to back with no editing, the whole thing is more than an hour long. I think I'll save it and upload it as an unregistered video or something later. That way, for those who want, you'll have the raw clips with no animation/explanation/fast forward nor any editing of any kind.
Watching the clips as they are right now, I realize that the raw footages are at least as informative as all my voiceovers, even if it's not the same kind of informations.

* If you have any question regarding an aspect of this introduction that I might have neglected to talk about, feel free to ask me in the comments bellow :)

* No question ? OK, now go to the wood store/hardware store, and get ready to fulfill your dream of making a guitar by yourself !

[hazeltollz]

I would LOVE an acoustic build guide just like this one!! The production value of your videos is absolutely incredible and you have a keen sense of how to teach. Thank you so much for making such incredible content!

[MrStoneheart]

What amazes me the most in your videos are the editing and smoothness of the whole process. It is just so relaxing to listen to 🍵

[hanrovisser]

15:41 In the words of Michelangelo, "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

[msnotwguitar]

This is a truly inspiring video. I love how you break everything down and the tool list is amazing. The build is great but the storytelling here is really something.

[toon]

As a Belgian, I'd totally love to watch you build more stuff! C'est incroyable!

[pipposwelt]

I‘ve already built my dream guitar at a course lead by a luthier. However the pandemic gave me the time to build a tiny 6sqm woodshop. Your video regarding your tools and approach is just pure gold to me!!!

[privateislandice]

I've always wanted to build my own guitar, and I'm finally getting to a point in my life when I can take the time to do it, so I've been watching videos, looking for direction. None have come close to inspiring me, and giving me confidence, more than yours. Your instruments are beautiful, and you make me feel like I could build guitars just as nice. Thanks for the inspiration!

[WacoFlier]

I just started watching your videos and am truly amazed at your skills - not just your hand skills but your ability to problem solve is truly amazing! I only wish I was this gifted but always find myself perplexed. Thank you for sharing and helping others learn.

[abdurrahmanbulut]

WOW! Finally a man with extraordinary skills telling ordinary people how to make a guitar. Great video!!

[viktorogic]

I am just beginning the construction of my first guitar. Your video is BY FAR the best beginner guitar making tutorial I have found. Love your explanations, voiceovers and careful editing. Can't wait for part two!!!

[YoshYouYube]

This is literally my dream come through. I'm little older than you and I love this 'i can learn anything' attitude. I didn't believe in me enough (woodworking) to even complete list of tools needed. Here we are, guy with soothing voice explains everything. There is no going back.

Ohh and I'm using your video about ES 335 as motivating video - even for topics not related to woodwork...

[jage]

I'm not in a situation to build my own guitar right now but I know I will one day. I'm really looking forward to the part two. This is simply amazing.