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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Guitar Building Tips: Buying Guitar Plans

By Kathy Lambert


For many guitar players, building a guitar seems like a dream. That dream may not be as far away as you think. Building your own instrument can be one of the most rewarding projects you'll undertake. On the other hand, it can also turn into a nightmare! If you've ever considered building a guitar, choosing and purchasing a set of guitar plans is one of the first, and most important, decisions that you'll have to make. Many would-be luthiers start their project with a set of plans that isn't high-quality and end up frustrated shortly into their project. Following these steps will help you choose a great set of blueprints for your project!

The Type of Guitar You Are Building: The first decision you'll have to make is what type of guitar you'd like to make. Are you planning to build an acoustic or electric guitar? Is your guitar going to have 6 or 12 strings? What size instrument do you want to have? If you don't already have a good idea of the exact guitar you want to build, take some time to look at different instruments. Learn about their sound quality, size, etc. Once you start your build you are embarking on a long process so you want to make sure you're choosing guitar plans for an instrument you'll love!

Professionally Drawn Plans: Constructing a guitar is fussy work so you'll want a set of plans that has been professionally drawn. Blueprints that have been created in a CAD system are going to be your best option as they are most likely to have the correct dimensions and include the detail you'll need to get through your build.

Full-Size Guitar Plans: Do not fall into the trap of buying a set of plans that is less than full size just because they cost less money. You'll want as much detail as possible and in order to see all the detail on your plans they need to be a full-size set. You are looking for plans that are 36" x 48". You can often buy plans electronically and have them printed yourself or you can purchase plans that are already printed for you. Either way, you will pay a bit more for large scale plans - the printing cost plays into this higher cost - but it's well worth the money spent!

The Devil Is In The Detail: You should be able to get a good idea of what the plans you are purchasing look like before you spend money on them. Make sure that they include all the dimensions you'll need as you complete your build. Additionally, check to see that dimensions are listed in the format which you prefer to use. Ideally, they will all be in both inches/fractional inches and millimeters. An added benefit is detailed construction notes and tips. Some plans include lots of notes which you will likely find to be very helpful as you build your guitar.

As you build a guitar, there are lots of decisions that you'll have to make. Buying plans is the first and one of the most important decisions that you'll make. Choose a good set of guitar blueprints and you'll enjoy building your guitar and end up with an instrument that you will enjoy for years to come.




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