Looking for a Specific Guitar Kit?
Type in a model or style to see what’s available.
TE-style DIY Guitar Kits
The T-style guitar kit is one of the simplest and most rewarding builds you can do. The single cutaway body is flat on both sides with no belly cut or arm contour, which means less sanding and contouring work. The wiring is straightforward: two pickups, a three-way switch, and two knobs. If you want a clean, fast build with a great-sounding result, start here.
T-style guitars are famous for their bright, snappy tone and cutting bridge pickup. The bolt-on maple neck adds even more snap and clarity. From country chicken picking to indie rock jangle to blues grit, this body shape handles it all.
Our T-style kits include a solid body (typically ash or alder), a maple neck, a bridge pickup with a metal mounting plate, a neck pickup, a three-way switch, tuning machines, and all hardware. The bridge design on a T-style is unique, with the bridge pickup mounted directly into the bridge plate for that characteristic twang. This is one of the best kits for first-time builders because the simple construction leaves fewer places to make mistakes.
Pre-Order
🌍 Worldwide
Semi-Hollow Mahogany TE Guitar Kit w/ Quilt Maple Veneer
Original price
$279.99 USD
Original price
$279.99 USD
-
Original price
$279.99 USD
Original price
$279.99 USD
Current price
$259.99 USD
$259.99 USD
-
$259.99 USD
Current price
$259.99 USD
Build Skill
7/10 — Intermediate
Semi-Hollow TE-style Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body, Quilt Maple body veneer, and Maple neck. Specifications Hand Orientation*: Righty B...
View full details
Pre-Order
🌍 Worldwide
Semi-Hollow Ash TE Guitar Kit with Zebrawood Body Top
Original price
$289.99 USD
Original price
$289.99 USD
-
Original price
$289.99 USD
Original price
$289.99 USD
Current price
$269.99 USD
$269.99 USD
-
$269.99 USD
Current price
$269.99 USD
Build Skill
7/10 — Intermediate
Semi-Hollow TE-style guitar kit with Ash Body, Engineered Zebrawood body top, and Maple neck. Shop now to build your own DIY guitar! Specificatio...
View full details
Ready to Ship
🌍 Worldwide
Semi-hollow Mahogany T-style kit with Vibrato Tailpiece
Original price
$299.99 USD
Original price
$299.99 USD
-
Original price
$299.99 USD
Original price
$299.99 USD
Current price
$279.99 USD
$279.99 USD
-
$279.99 USD
Current price
$279.99 USD
Build Skill
8/10 — Advanced
Build Your Own Semi-hollow Mahogany T-style kit with Vibrato Tailpiece using our DIY guitar kits. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Neck Jo...
View full details
Made to Order
🌍 Worldwide
TE Semi-hollow Guitar Kit
Original price
$449.99 USD
-
Original price
$449.99 USD
Original price
$449.99 USD
$449.99 USD
-
$449.99 USD
Current price
$449.99 USD
Build Skill
? /10 — Varies
Customizable TE Semi-hollow style DIY Guitar Kit to build your very own guitar, tailored to your unique style and playing preferences. Express your...
View full details
Bridge Pickup Mounting
The T-style bridge pickup sits in a metal plate that is part of the bridge assembly, which is a big part of what gives it that distinctive bright, twangy tone.
Body Wood Choice
Ash bodies deliver a brighter, more articulate T-style sound while alder bodies are warmer and more balanced across the frequency range.
Neck Pickup Type
Some T-style kits use a standard single coil neck pickup, while others offer a humbucker in the neck position for a warmer, fatter lead tone.
Control Layout
The standard T-style wiring uses a three-way switch, one volume knob, and one tone knob. This simple layout is very easy to wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the T-style a good first guitar kit to build?
The flat body requires minimal shaping, the wiring only has two pickups and three controls, and the bolt-on neck is the most forgiving joint type. It is the easiest path to a finished guitar.
What gives a T-style guitar its distinctive twang?
The bridge pickup is mounted in a metal plate that is part of the bridge itself. This direct coupling transfers vibration differently than a pickup mounted in a routed cavity, producing that classic bright snap.
Can I get a humbucker sound from a T-style kit?
Yes. Some of our T-style kits come with a humbucker in the neck position. You can also swap the bridge pickup for a humbucker-sized single coil or route the body to accept a full humbucker.
What kind of finish works best on a T-style build?
T-style guitars look great with almost any finish. A natural or sunburst finish shows off the wood grain on ash bodies. Solid colors work well on alder. The flat body shape makes finishing easier than contoured designs.