Tuesday, 16 July 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!

Are The Plans Professional: Dimensions are king when it comes to your guitar plans. You want a set of blueprints that includes all dimensions. They also need to be correct and drawn to scale. The best way to ensure you receive a professional set of plans is to only consider plans that have been created in a CAD system.

The Size of the Plans: Full-size plans are more expensive than a smaller set of plans, mostly because they cost more to print, but when it comes to building a guitar the extra money you spend is well worth it! As you dive into the building process you will want to be able to see as much detail as possible and the best way to do this is with large scale plans. Look for plans that are printed, or can be printed, on 36" x 48" paper. In many cases, you will have the option to purchase plans that have already been printed or plans that you receive in electronic version and can print yourself. Bottom line - spend the extra money, you'll be glad you did!

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.

You'll make lots of decisions as you build your guitar. Things like wood type and finish are very important but before you get to that point, you'll want to select the best guitar plans possible. You'll increase your chance of a successful and low stress build and you'll end up with a guitar that you will play and enjoy for many years!




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