Paul M.
2 min read
Hey DIY guitar builders! Today we're tackling one of the most nerve-wracking parts of any guitar build - drilling those tuner holes in your headstock. Get this wrong, and you can ruin your DIY Guitar. Get it right, and you're one step closer to a professional-quality instrument.
Before we drill anything, let's talk about what you'll need:
Headstock Tuner Hole Template
Download 2+2 Bass Headstock File (JPG)
Download 6-in-line Headstock File (JPG)
Download 3+3 Headstock File (JPG)
The secret to perfect tuner holes is accurate measurement. I'll show you how to:
Now for the drilling itself:
Here are mistakes I've made so you don't have to:
There you have it! Perfect tuner holes that will make installation a breeze. Remember, this is one of those 'measure twice, cut once' situations. Take your time, follow these steps, and you'll avoid that sinking feeling of messing up your beautiful headstock.
Read Guitar Tuning Machines: The Complete Guide for more knowledge on choosing tuners to use for your DIY guitar. Happy DIY journey, everyone!
Doug DeLuca and his sixteen year old son turned a bare quilted maple top into a deep blue burst, and the figure still reads through the darkest part of the rim. Here is the dye versus pigment decision that made it work, why the edges are the darkest part of the guitar, and what you can copy on your own figured top.
Christoph and his son Fionn wanted a deep even black on an open-grained mahogany body with the figure still showing through, and the pores kept drying lighter than the surface. Follow the build from the bare kit to the finished bass, and see how they diagnosed it and what you can copy from their approach.
