Building a guitar is more than just assembling wood and hardware. It’s a chance to create something personal, unique, and meaningful. For Scott from SJ Woodshop, his very first build started with a Blank DIY Guitar Kit, and turned into a project that pushed his skills and creativity in new directions.

Images and videos courtesy of Scott (@scottjabbwoodshop)

Why Scott Chose to Build

As a woodworker, Scott was already comfortable with tools and working with timber. But building a guitar offered something different: the challenge of combining craftsmanship with music. “Finished!! Now I just need to learn to play,” he joked on Instagram when the project came together. It wasn’t just about making an instrument — it was about proving to himself that he could turn raw wood into something playable, personal, and lasting.

He shared the entire process on Instagram (@scottjabbwoodshop), giving a behind-the-scenes look at the work, the learning, and the joy of creating something completely unique. 

The Build Process

Unlike many first-time builders who keep things simple, he went further and made bold modifications.

Reshaping the body

Scott didn’t stop at sanding and finishing. He cut into the body and replaced sections with contrasting wood. This required precision joinery and a willingness to experiment.

This bold design choice gave his guitar its striking striped look.

Custom knobs

He turned his own knobs on the lathe, matching the aesthetic of the wood body instead of using standard plastic parts.

Personal branding

Perhaps the most unique touch: Scott engraved his SJ Woodshop logo into the back of the guitar, leaving a signature mark of his craftsmanship.

Each of these steps shows that Scott wasn’t just “building a kit” — he was creating a guitar that reflected his skill as a maker.

The Final Guitar

The finished guitar is a TE-style with a completely custom look. The natural contrast of the wood inlays, paired with the black pickguard and handcrafted knobs, gives it a bold but elegant style. It’s the kind of instrument that doesn’t just sit in a stand — it becomes a conversation piece. 

Scott described the project as a “learning experience” and has already hinted it won’t be his last. For a first build, the level of creativity and execution is impressive.

What stands out most about Scott’s project is the courage to customize. Many first-time builders stick to safe finishes or follow instructions to the letter. Scott went beyond that by altering the body itself, turning his own parts, and branding the guitar as his own. That kind of creativity is exactly what makes blank kits exciting — they’re a canvas for ideas.

Images and videos courtesy of Scott (@scottjabbwoodshop)

Start Your Own Journey

Scott’s guitar proves that you don’t need years of guitar-building experience to make something extraordinary. With a DIY guitar kit, you can experiment, add your own details, and come away with a guitar that is uniquely yours.

Meet the author

Nathan T.

As a longtime contributor at Guitar Kit World, Nathan has spent more than a decade helping guitar builders turn basic kits into stage-ready instruments...

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