Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar
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Welcome to Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar
I do recommend using a pre-made fretboard for your first build but have included two methods of making your own – just in case you are determined to do it the hard way! We also have a ‘ready to go’ complete wood and parts kit available, and other supplies to help you on your build.
Joining this course gives you access to a community of home-builders, all working towards the same goal – and I will be live-streaming regular Q and A sessions.
You can ask me any question directly – or start an open discussion with our enthusiastic students. Remember you can watch the films over and over again.
Modules
Acoustic Design - Intro
Drawing - External Design
How to design the external shape and appearance of an acoustic guitar
Lessons
Drawing - Internal Structure
Lessons
Drawing - Options and Extras
Lessons
Acoustic Build - Intro
Lessons
Acoustic Build - Preparation
Lessons
Make the Fretboard
If you have a pre-made fret board you can skip this module...
Lessons
Acoustic Neck - Part 1
Lessons
Make the Soundboard
Lessons
Make the Rosette
Lessons
Brace the Soundboard
Lessons
- Bracing the Soundboard – Overview
- UTG and BridgePlate – Prep
- UTG and BridgePlate – Glue
- UTG and Bridgeplate – Carve
- Soundhole and Finger Braces – Glue
- Soundhole and Finger Braces – Clean Up
- Soundhole and Finger Braces – Carve
- Fit the UFB and X Braces
- Make the Half Lap Joint
- Arch the Braces
- Dry Clamp the Curved Braces
- Glue the Curved Braces
- Clamping a Curved Soundboard
- Clean Up the Curved Braces
- Carve the Upper Face Brace
- Carve the Lower Face Braces
- Dry Clamp the X-Braces
- Glue the X-Braces
- Clean Up the X-Braces
- Carve the X-Braces
- Sand the X-Braces
- The Black Art
- When Braces Go Bad…
Make the Back
Lessons
- Mark Out the Back
- Cut Out the Back
- Prepare the Back Grafts
- Dry Clamp the Back Grafts
- Glue the Back Grafts
- Shape the Back Grafts
- Fit the Back Braces
- Cut the Braces to Length
- Dry Clamp the Back Braces
- Glue the Back Braces
- Clean Up the Glue
- Carve the Back Braces
- Rough Sand the Back Braces
- Scallop the Brace Ends (optional)
- Sand the Back Braces
Make the Sides
Lessons
Heel Block and Tail Block
Lessons
Assemble the Body
Lessons
- Fit the Sides – Intro and Set Up
- Cut the Notches
- Trim the Brace Ends
- Trim the Sides
- Fit the Sides – Final Check
- Dry Clamp the Sides
- Glue the Side(s)
- Mark the Heelblock Facet
- Carve the Heelblock Facet
- Refine the Heelblock Facet
- Make the Tailblock facet
- Shape the Back
- Fit the Kerfed Lining
- Glue the Kerfed Lining
- Clean Up the Kerfed Lining
- Internal Reinforcement
- Clean Up the Back Kerfing
- Fit the Back: Mark Out
- Fit the Back: Cut the Notches
- Fit the Back: Trim Brace the Ends
- Fit the Back: Re-Carve Brace Ends
- Fit the Back: Adjustments
- Fit the Back: Final Sand Inside Faces
- Fit Back: Write Inside
- Tools for Clamping the Back
- Dry Clamp the Back
- Glue the Back
- Trim the Plates
- Trim the Neck Socket
- Sand The Body
Fit the Neck
Lessons
Acoustic Neck – Part 2
Lessons
- Make the Truss Rod
- Install the Truss Rod
- Trim the Fillet
- Prepare Fretboard Gluing Surface
- Locate the Fretboard
- Glue the Fretboard
- Carve the Neck – Intro
- Carve the Side Facets
- Carve the Top Facet
- Refine the Side Facets
- Blend In
- Carve the Volute
- Carve the Heel
- Level the Fretboard
- Radius the Fretboard
- Install the Front Dots
- Sand the Fretboard
- Install the Side Dots
Install the Frets
How to Install the Frets
Lessons
Sand and Finish
Lessons
Final Assembly
Lessons
Final Set up
Lessons
Bonus Stuff
Bonus Stuff
