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Maple Guitar Kits
Maple brings brightness, clarity, and visual impact to a guitar build. As a body wood, maple produces a tight, articulate tone with pronounced attack and clear note separation. Every note in a chord rings out distinctly, making maple an excellent choice for players who value precision and definition.
Our maple guitar kits are available in several body styles, giving you the tonal brightness of maple across different playing configurations. Some kits use a full maple body, while others pair a maple top with a mahogany or basswood back to balance brightness with warmth.
The visual appeal of maple is hard to beat. Figured maple, especially flame and quilted patterns, produces some of the most stunning guitar finishes possible. A clear or lightly tinted finish over figured maple creates a depth and shimmer that draws the eye.
Maple is a dense, hard wood, which means it is heavier than mahogany or basswood. That density is where the brightness and sustain come from, but plan for a guitar that carries some weight. If you want a bright, clear-sounding instrument with show-stopping looks, a maple kit delivers on both fronts.
SOB Guitar Kit
Original price
$449.99 USD
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Original price
$449.99 USD
Original price
$449.99 USD
$449.99 USD
-
$449.99 USD
Current price
$449.99 USD
Skill
?/10 Varies
Description Body Type: Solid Neck Joint: Bolt-on Neck Shape: C-shaped No. of Frets: 22 Scale: 628mm / 24.75" Cutaways: Double ...
View full detailsMU Guitar Kit
Original price
$399.99 USD
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Original price
$399.99 USD
Original price
$399.99 USD
$399.99 USD
-
$399.99 USD
Current price
$399.99 USD
Skill
?/10 Varies
Description Body type*: Solid Orientation*: Custom Neck Joint*: Custom Neck Shape*: C-shaped Frets*: 22 Scale*: 648mm, 25.5" Cutaw...
View full detailsSemi-Hollow PR-style DIY Guitar Kit
Original price
$449.99 USD
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Original price
$449.99 USD
Original price
$449.99 USD
$449.99 USD
-
$449.99 USD
Current price
$449.99 USD
Skill
?/10 Varies
Build your own DIY guitar with this PR-style Custom Shop kit. Description Body type*: Semi-Hollow w/ Solid Maple Cap Neck Shape*: C-shaped...
View full details
Maple Type
Check whether the kit uses plain maple, flame maple, or quilted maple. Figured maple costs more but produces dramatic visual effects under a clear finish.
Body Construction
Some kits use a solid maple body, while others pair a maple top with a lighter back wood for reduced weight and tonal balance.
Weight
Maple is one of the heaviest tonewoods. A full maple body can be notably heavy, so consider a maple-top kit if weight is a concern.
Finishing Figured Maple
Figured maple looks best under a clear or tinted transparent finish. Opaque finishes hide the grain pattern and waste the visual potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a maple body guitar sound like?
Maple produces a bright, articulate tone with strong attack and clear note definition. It emphasizes upper harmonics and provides tight, controlled low end. Compared to mahogany, maple sounds snappier and more present, with less warmth in the midrange.
Is maple harder to work with than other tonewoods?
Maple is denser and harder than mahogany or basswood, so it takes more effort to sand. It also shows scratches and sanding marks more readily under a clear finish, so take extra care during surface preparation. The payoff is a stunning finished product.
Should I use a clear finish on a maple guitar body?
If your kit has figured maple, absolutely. Flame and quilted maple patterns only show their full depth under a transparent finish. A light amber tint enhances the figure even further. Opaque paint hides the grain entirely, so save that for plainer maple blanks.
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Helpful Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools do I need to build a kit guitar?
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.
Does the kit include everything to build a working guitar?
Our stock kits contain all necessary parts (unless stated otherwise on the product page).
How long does it take to complete a guitar kit?
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.
Do I have to solder the electronics?
Most of our kits require basic soldering. If you're new to it, check out our wiring guide here.
If you don't want to solder, or don't have the tools, our solderless guitar kits use plug-and-play wiring. No iron required.
What finishing options can I use on my guitar?
You can use stain, paint, or oil-based finishes. Learn more about finishing techniques here.
Our advice: 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.
How good will my finished kit guitar sound?
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.