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Headless Guitar Kit Assembly Manual
Step-by-step instructions on how to build your own DIY Headless guitar. Get started by reading the following tutorial even if you're a first-time builder.
There’s nothing more satisfying than playing a unique headless guitar you have put together yourself.
So let’s get started!
Project Tools and Consumables
Before we get started check the list below and ensure you have the necessary tools and consumables required to complete the project
Tools
- Steel ruler (at least 40 cm)
- Hard sanding block
- Center punch (or similar tool for marking hole locations)
- Electric drill and assorted drill bits
- Large and small screwdrivers (phillips head and flat head)
- Pliers (needle nose preferably)
- Soldering iron
Consumables
- Disposable gloves
- Small paintbrush
- Wood grain filler (If open grain timber such as Mahogany or Oak)
- Sandpaper. Various grades, from 120 up to 1500 (*depends on finish)
- Finishing supplies. (This depends on your choice of finish)
- Painters masking tape
- Assortment of clean rags and paper towel
- Denatured alcohol (or cleaning product with degreasing ability)
- 0000 fine grade steel wool
- Solder (and sponge for cleaning tip of iron)
- Container for storing finishing supplies.
Next, check that all parts have been included.
Parts List
Below are the parts you will find included in your packaging to complete an HL guitar kit.
- Prepped HL body
- Completed neck
- Neck plate, neck plate cushion and screws
- 2 x Strap buttons
- HL Tremolo Bridge
- Whammy bar or Vibrato bar
- Electronics (1x Volume knob, 1x Tone knob, and a 5-Way Selector switch)
- 1 humbucker pickup with pickup ring
- 2 single coil pickups
- Input jack
- Hex wrench (for adjusting truss rod)
- Set of strings
- Assorted screws and washers
Safety Precautions
To complete your guitar kit safely, also ensure you have the following on hand, and a well ventilated work space to work in.
Protective eyewear
Use protective safety glasses or a genuine face shield, not regular prescription, reading, or sunglasses.
Disposable gloves
Use disposable gloves if applying stains or oil finishes directly to the guitar.
Masks
Use an N95 rated dust mask for sanding and an R95 rated particle mask for finishing. If using water based finishing products an N95 dust mask may suffice for both sanding and finishing, but be sure to check the finishing suppliers recommendations first. Paint fumes are dangerous.
A well ventilated work area
Ensure your work space is well ventilated, especially when finishing to prevent a build up of potentially toxic fumes.
Making your Guitar Kit play & Sound Great
There are four stages to building a great kit guitar, these are:
- Preparation and finishing
The finished surface appearance of your guitar e.g. staining, painting, or applying a hand rubbed oil finish.
- Hardware Installation
Fitting strap buttons, bridge, and pickups.
- Connecting the electronics
Connecting the pickups to the input jack, and incorporating a pickup selector and volume and tone potentiometers.
1 Humbucker/2 Single Coils/5-Way Switch/1 Volume/1 Tone
- Final Setup
Adjusting the neck relief, action, intonation and pickup height.
DIY Guitars by Guitar Kit World Builders
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Showcase your DIY guitar here!
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