So with an extra month to prepare, I decided to build a new and better guitar. If I had to do this project again, I would make the neck a little bit wider. Clamp and let dry. I was also troubled by how to place the frets. Question Once the glue has dried and everything is right, glue the top on with wood glue and weigh the top down for a strong bond. The patterns I made are listed below. But I am especially proud of the shape of the neck and how smooth it is. This was the first time in our school's history that we made the state tournament! Just make sure to retighten it so the tension doesn't turn the tuners by itself. This technique is best utilized with computer controlled machines, such as laser cutters or CNC mills. Thank you for taking the time and care to design your own Breedlove Custom Masterclass guitar. This is a very creative project with multiple ways to get the steps done, so make the guitar in your own way. Currently at 1 1/2", it is a little bit too thin for my taste. This makes the top surface of the guitar level. The patterns were pretty easy to make. Just be sure to work slowly for the most accurate results. Remember the thickness of your wood, I used 1/4" plywood, when calculating the depth of the guitar. The palette of tonewoods is yours to choose and each element will be Sound Optimized® and hand voiced for balanced tone, rich sustain and superior projection. Music isn’t just about noise and things that sound nice, it is a way to release pent up emotion and misunderstanding, … Making Side Bending Jigs. Participated in the Make-to-Learn Youth Contest. I also struggled with how to secure the strings to the bridge. It was a very simple, crudely made guitar but it worked. Leave about 4" untouched at the end for a flat area to attach to the body. Mine are made from red and black acrylic cut on a laser cutter. 1 year ago. Join our mailing list for updates, news and chances to win free gear! The bridge also helps send vibrations into the body of the guitar to be amplified. I shaped the body by starting with a coarse file to give it the basic shape. If the eye screw won't turn, loosen the wing nut a little bit to allow it to turn. The body is made from stacked plywood and reinforced with oak dowel rods. Unique twelve fret, short scale, small body platform—delivering a surprisingly clear, crisp, loud voice. For ease of assembly and durability of the guitar, I decided to place oak dowel rods in the corners of the body so the pieces could be stacked and lined up easily. Step 2: Making the Wood the "proper" Thickness. Clamp the nut down and let the glue dry. I am confused on how to attach the strings to the tuner pegs! Science Olympiad is a competitive tournament where students participate in different scientific events against other schools. ©2015 – 2020 Breedlove Guitars – All Rights Reserved. So with an extra month to prepare, I decided to build a new and better guitar. The amount depends on how deep you want the guitar to be. And that's it, your guitar is done! Be sure to vote for me in the Make … The sound board and back wood arrived, … Building an Acoustic Guitar Step 1: Getting Started. Reply It is your reward, to last a lifetime! If not enough glue is used, the bridge will be ripped of the body of the guitar from the great tension of the strings. 877.800.4848. 1X2 Stock- about 3 feet in length. Just run the strings through the bridge, over the neck, over the nut, into the string hole and through the tuner. Build your own guitar kits are also a great way to introduce children the wonder of music, as well as helping them to express themselves in a different way. Fret Material- any thin 1/8" material that can easily be cut and glued. Where it all began—our most popular body shape, favored for its versatile, balanced sound, compact ergonomic comfort and famously fast neck. Once I had the patterns made, I sent them to the laser cutter for cutting. The tuning pegs are made from eye screws. The tuners are offset so they don't hit each other and about 3/4" away. Just measure the distance, draw a line, and super glue the fret in place. This is repeated for all 6 tuners. Designing and Cutting the Body. Handcrafted by our finest artisans, your Breedlove Custom Masterclass will be a one of a kind instrument, individually tailored exactly to your dreams, desires and specifications. They are in two rows, each 3/8" from the edge. The grooves are about 1/4" from each other. Bigger, louder, lusher, lose yourself in its complex, textured tone and easy playability—like a dreadnought with Breedlove DNA. Playing an acoustic guitar can be a true art form. On top of that goes a 1/4" washer and then through the neck. On top goes a 1/4" washer and finally a wing nut. Once you’re happy with your selections, click Complete Design to have a copy of your dream guitar specifications sent to your email — the button will also take you to an overview of your planned instrument. The length depends on the depth of the guitar. I am also proud of the bridge design and how well it works. Support the neck from now until gluing the top on to keep the body from warping or breaking. This is a very creative project with multiple ways to get the steps done, so make the guitar in your own way. String all six string and then tune them. For example, I had 3 pieces of plywood cut out with a slot for the neck and two to support the neck. Making acoustic guitars, however, takes a real artist. Files- Both coarse and fine files are used to shape the neck Sandpaper- Used to give the neck a smooth finish Drill Press- Used for drilling out holes in the bridge and for the tuning pegs. Does it's tune differs from round holes? If you're serious about building your Dream Dean, our Custom Shop is serious about taking care of you! For example, the Martin Build Your Own Guitar Kit includes all the components and instructions needed to build a high quality acoustic guitar. Time to dive in. Materials needed- Plywood for the guitar body- I used 1/4". 7 weeks ago, Question For placement, I just used an online fret calculator such as http://www.studybass.com/tools/chord-scale-note-printer/ or http://www.stewmac.com/fretcalculator?gclid=CMnShKaoy7YCFQNlMgodZB4AdQ. I made this guitar with a laser cutter, a drill press, a band saw, sander, and files How did you make it?- I got the idea for this project after placing 2nd in our regional Science Olympiad tournament. You will be making and using many different jigs for guitar building. How to Make an Acoustic Guitar Step 1: Tools and Other Materials. I designed my patterns in Corel Draw so they could be utilized for laser cutting. Acoustic guitars—especially those with archtops—also offer a lot of challenges. Thank you for taking the time and care to design your own Breedlove Custom Masterclass guitar. 61573 American Loop I just used the 3 point curve tool to trace the general body shape and then used the measurement tools to created the features for each different piece. Draw a line at both of these points.