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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.

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Basswood body DB Guitar Kit with Pau Ferro Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Basswood body DB Guitar Kit with Pau Ferro Fretboard - Guitar Kit World In Stock In the US

Heavy Metal Style DIY Guitar Kit – Mahogany Body, Pau Ferro Fretboard, Locking Tremolo

$289.99 USD
$289.99 USD - $289.99 USD
$289.99 USD
$249.99 USD
$249.99 USD - $249.99 USD
$249.99 USD
Skill 5/10 Intermediate

Build your own heavy metal style electric guitar with this DIY kit, featuring aggressive styling, powerful humbuckers, and a double locking tremolo...

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E75 Hollow Body 7-String Guitar Kit with Florentine-style Single Cutaway - Guitar Kit World
E75 Hollow Body 7-String Guitar Kit with Florentine-style Single Cutaway - Guitar Kit World In Stock In the US

E75 Hollow Body 7-String Guitar Kit with Florentine-style Single Cutaway

$329.99 USD
$329.99 USD - $329.99 USD
$329.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
Skill 8/10 Advanced

Build your own 7-string hollow guitar kit with a mahogany body, ebony fretboard, F-holes, and Florentine-style single cutaway. Specifications Han...

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L2 Semi-Hollow Kit Guitar with F Sound Holes, Spalted Maple Veneer - Guitar Kit World
L2 Semi-Hollow Kit Guitar with F Sound Holes, Spalted Maple Veneer - Guitar Kit World Sold out

L2 Semi-Hollow Kit Guitar with F Sound Holes, Spalted Maple Veneer

$289.99 USD
$289.99 USD - $289.99 USD
$289.99 USD
$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD - $279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own semi-hollow DIY guitar with a beautiful spalted maple veneer, mahogany body & set-in neck, Ebony (Engineered) fretboard, and ...

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Ash TE Guitar Kit w/ Flame Maple Veneer, Skunk Stripe Maple Neck
Ash TE Guitar Kit w/ Flame Maple Veneer, Skunk Stripe Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

Ash TE Guitar Kit w/ Flame Maple Veneer, Skunk Stripe Maple Neck

$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$229.99 USD
$229.99 USD - $229.99 USD
$229.99 USD
Skill 5/10 Intermediate

TE style Guitar Kit with Ash Body, Flame Maple body veneer, and Maple neck with a skunk stripe. Shop now to build your own DIY guitar! Specificatio...

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Zebrawood EXP-style Guitar Kit with Black Pickguard - Guitar Kit World
Zebrawood X - Style Guitar Kit With Black Pickguard Exp
In Stock In the US

Zebrawood EXP-style Guitar Kit with Trapezoid Fretboard Inlays

$289.99 USD
$289.99 USD - $289.99 USD
$289.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own DIY guitar kit with zebrawood body & neck, trapezoid inlays, and black pickguard and hardware. Specifications Hand Orientation*...

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E35 Semi-Acoustic Guitar Kit with Split Parallelogram Ebony Fretboard Inlays - Guitar Kit World
E35 Semi-Acoustic Guitar Kit with Split Parallelogram Ebony Fretboard Inlays - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

E35 Semi-Hollow Guitar Kit with Split Parallelogram Ebony Fretboard Inlays

$319.99 USD
$319.99 USD - $319.99 USD
$319.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own semi-acoustic DIY guitar kit with Flamed Maple Veneer Mahogany body and Ebony Fretboard with beautiful Split Parallelogram Pearl Whi...

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L1 Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware - Guitar Kit World
L1 Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Rosewood Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Sold out

L1 Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Rosewood Fretboard, Ivory Pickguard

$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own LP-style solid body guitar using our DIY guitar kit with a mahogany body and neck, flamed maple veneer. Specifications Han...

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E35 Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Kit w/ Quilted Maple Veneer, Abalone Pearl Inlays - Guitar Kit World
E35 Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Kit w/ Quilted Maple Veneer, Abalone Pearl Inlays - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 6 mo In China

E35 Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Kit w/ Quilted Maple Veneer, Abalone Pearl Inlays

$309.99 USD
$309.99 USD - $309.99 USD
$309.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own E35 semi-hollow body DIY guitar kit with Quilted Maple Veneer, Abalone Pearl Inlays. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Heads...

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Alder TE Guitar Kit w/ Quilt Maple Veneer, Styled Headstock, Maple Neck
Alder Te Guitar Kit W/ Quilt Maple Veneer Styled Headstock Neck
Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

Alder TE Guitar Kit w/ Quilt Maple Veneer, Styled Headstock, Maple Neck

$259.99 USD
$259.99 USD - $259.99 USD
$259.99 USD
$229.99 USD
$229.99 USD - $229.99 USD
$229.99 USD
Skill 4/10 Beginner

TE-style Guitar Kit with Alder Body, Quilted Maple Body Veneer, and Maple neck with a skunk stripe. Specifications Hand Orientation*: Righty Body...

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Violin Bass W3 Kit with Pau Ferro Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Violin Bass W3 Kit with Pau Ferro Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
In Stock In China

Basswood Violin Bass Kit with Pau Ferro Fretboard

$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
Skill 8/10 Advanced

Experience the joy of creating your own music with our DIY Violin Bass Guitar kit! This short-scale (30" / 760 mm) kit includes all the materials n...

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Mahogany TE Guitar Kit w/ Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard
Mahogany Te Guitar Kit W/ Maple Neck Rosewood Fretboard
Sold out

Mahogany TE Guitar Kit w/ Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard

$239.99 USD
$239.99 USD - $239.99 USD
$239.99 USD
$199.99 USD
$199.99 USD - $199.99 USD
$199.99 USD
Skill 2/10 Beginner

Right-handed Mahogany body TE guitar kit with Maple Neck and Rosewood (Engineered) Fretboard. Build your own DIY guitar. Specifications Hand...

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Semi-Hollow PR w/ Solid Carved Maple Cap & Trapezoid Abalone Inlays - Guitar Kit World
Semi-Hollow PR w/ Solid Carved Maple Cap & Trapezoid Abalone Inlays - Guitar Kit World
Sold out

Semi-Hollow PR w/ Solid Carved Maple Cap & Trapezoid Abalone Inlays

$319.99 USD - $319.99 USD
$319.99 USD
$319.99 USD
$319.99 USD - $319.99 USD
$319.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Semi-hollow PR Guitar Kit with F-holes Rosewood (Engineered) fretboard and beautiful trapezoid abalone inlays. Specifications Hand Orientation: Ri...

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Short scale R325 Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard
Short-Scale R325 Guitar Kit With Rosewood Fretboard
In Stock In the US

Short-scale R25 Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard

$289.99 USD
$289.99 USD - $289.99 USD
$289.99 USD
$219.99 USD
$219.99 USD - $219.99 USD
$219.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Ever dreamed of crafting your custom short-scale guitar? It's time with our DIY kit, offering everything from a rosewood fretboard to a strong mapl...

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Acoustic semi-hollow T-style guitar kit unboxed: flame maple body with F-hole, maple neck, rosewood bridge, hardware
Semi-Hollow Body T-style Guitar with Equalizer - Guitar Kit World
In Stock In China

Acoustic Electric Semi-Hollow TE-style Basswood Guitar Kit

$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD - $279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
$239.99 USD
$239.99 USD - $239.99 USD
$239.99 USD
Skill 5/10 Intermediate

Build your own acoustic electric guitar with this TE-style semi-hollow DIY kit, designed to deliver warm acoustic resonance with added clarity and ...

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Alder Body Semi-Hollow S-Style Guitar Kit With Quilted Maple Veneer
Alder Body Semi-Hollow S-Style Guitar Kit With Quilted Maple Veneer
Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

Alder Body Semi-hollow ST-style Guitar Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer

$259.99 USD
$259.99 USD - $259.99 USD
$259.99 USD
$219.99 USD
$219.99 USD - $219.99 USD
$219.99 USD
Skill 6/10 Intermediate

Build Your Own Alder Body Semi-hollow ST-style Guitar Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer using our DIY Guitar Kits. Specifications Hand Orientation: Ri...

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Ash V style body Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Ash V style body Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
In Stock In China

V4 Ash body Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard

$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
Skill 5/10 Intermediate

Ready to unleash your inner rockstar? Our Ash V-style DIY Guitar Kit is like a muscle car you build yourself, but instead of horsepower, you get fa...

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Ash ST-style guitar kit with Pau Ferro fretboard Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World
Ash St-Style Guitar Kit With Pau Ferro Fretboard Maple Neck St
In Stock In China

Ash ST-style guitar kit with Pau Ferro fretboard Maple Neck

$239.99 USD
$239.99 USD - $239.99 USD
$239.99 USD
$199.99 USD
$199.99 USD - $199.99 USD
$199.99 USD
Skill 4/10 Beginner

Start your dream guitar build with this ash ST-style kit, complete with Pau Ferro fretboard maple neck for a beautiful finish. Perfect for aspiring...

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Te Guitar Kit W/ Spalted Maple Veneer Fretboard
Te Guitar Kit W/ Spalted Maple Veneer Fretboard
Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

Alder TE Guitar Kit w/ Spalted Maple Veneer, Maple Fretboard

$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD - $279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
Skill 4/10 Beginner

Build your own TE-style DIY guitar with a spalted maple veneer alder body, and maple neck. Shop now to build your own DIY guitar! Specifications H...

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T-style Block Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body and Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World
T-style Block Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body and Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 6 mo In China

TE-style Blank Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body and Maple Neck

$239.99 USD
$239.99 USD - $239.99 USD
$239.99 USD
$199.99 USD
$199.99 USD - $199.99 USD
$199.99 USD
Skill 8/10 Advanced

Build and shape your own electric guitar with our TE-style Blank Guitar Kit. This slab-body style kit gives you a solid mahogany foundation paired ...

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E35 Semi-Acoustic Guitar Kit w/ Flamed Maple Veneer, Ebony Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
E35 Semi-Acoustic Guitar Kit w/ Flamed Maple Veneer, Ebony Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 6 mo In China

E35 Semi-Hollow Guitar Kit w/ Flamed Maple Veneer, Ebony Fretboard

$329.99 USD
$329.99 USD - $329.99 USD
$329.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own semi-acoustic DIY guitar kit with Flamed Maple Veneer, Ebony Fretboard. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Heads...

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SG2 Guitar Kit with Maple Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
SG2 Guitar Kit with Maple Fretboard - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 6 mo In China

G2-style Guitar Kit with Maple Fretboard

$289.99 USD
$289.99 USD - $289.99 USD
$289.99 USD
$249.99 USD
$249.99 USD - $249.99 USD
$249.99 USD
Skill 6/10 Intermediate

Build your own mahogany body G2-style guitar with our DIY kit with a beautiful maple fretboard and black finish hardware. Specifications ...

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JGS style Guitar Kit with Basswood Body, Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World
JGS style Guitar Kit with Basswood Body, Maple Neck - Guitar Kit World
Pre-Order · 6 mo In China

Short-scale JGS style Guitar Kit with Basswood Body, Maple Neck

$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD - $279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
$259.99 USD
$259.99 USD - $259.99 USD
$259.99 USD
Skill 5/10 Intermediate

Build your own short-scale JGS style DIY guitar with a Basswood body, a Maple bolt-on neck, and an Ebony fretboard with white Pearloid dot inlays. ...

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W Bass Guitar Kit with Ash Body Flamed Maple Top, Maple Fretboard
W Bass Guitar Kit with Ash Body Flamed Maple Top, Maple Fretboard
Pre-Order · 3 mo In China

WB Bass Guitar Kit with Ash Body Flamed Maple Top, Maple Fretboard

$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
$299.99 USD
$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD - $279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
Skill 7/10 Intermediate

Build your own DIY bass guitar with a beautiful flamed maple veneer ash body, and a maple fretboard and neck with a skunk stripe. Specifications H...

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L1 Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware - Guitar Kit World
L1 Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware - Guitar Kit World
In Stock In the US

L1 Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware

$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD - $269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
$259.99 USD
$259.99 USD - $259.99 USD
$259.99 USD
Skill 8/10 Advanced

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two gold finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful spalted maple veneer body top, and abalone inlays on an E...

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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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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.

More Frequently Asked Questions →

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