ES-style DIY Guitar Kits

Depending on the type of guitar you buy you may only require tools and materials for finishing the guitar (painting) and soldering.

Screwdrivers, sandpaper and sanding block. Finishing supplies e.g. Paint, stain, and clear gloss, ventilation mask, coping saw or jigsaw if shaping the headstock.

With this small list of inexpensive tools, you will be up and running and ready to build your electric guitar in no time.

Recommended reading: Luthier Tools for DIY Guitar Kits

It depends on the choice of finish. For instance, when you paint or stain a guitar you will need the surface to dry and harden (cure). This can take anywhere from 1 week to 3 months depending on your choice of finishing product.

You will find the guitar dries to approximately 90% very quickly but the final 10% takes some time. If you can’t wait that long you could try tung oil or wax finish but bear in mind the finish won’t be as durable and protect the guitar as effectively.

Here is some advice that will help steer you in the right direction, use a reference. In most cases, this will be a guitar you particularly like the look of and want to create something similar.

To view the latest DIY guitars from our community follow us on Instagram and visit our Customer Reviews page.

Find a guitar image online with a finish you particularly like, print it out and reference it often.

When audio engineers first start out they are told to use a reference point in the form of a studio recording to get an impression of how the guitars should sound, this is exactly the same principle.

It’s defined firstly by the components you use and secondly the workmanship that goes into putting it all together.

Watch the community section of our Youtube Channel to learn how kit guitars sound.