Problems come in many shapes . . .

Right, had a look online, just done a broad google search for 'build your own guitar'. Found a few people who've made their own guitar from scratch.

It looks canny hard.

There's gonna be a lot to think about, just the body is throwing up alot of questions already:

1. Shape
Should I go original and design my own shape or should I just get a template for a known shape? Some of the original shapes I've seen look absolute gash, I dont think I have the creative ability to design a guitar shape that will look good. It would probably end up looking like a Frankenstein mishmash of all my favourite guitar shapes in one, although Kurt Cobain did with that Jagstang shape didn't he??


2. Type of wood
Ash, Alder, Maple, Mahogony which one? There are loads of different types of wood for different tone quality. The main problem that keeps coming up is where the eff am I going to get a slab of quality wood from. Some one bought some off of ebay and there a few sites that sell them but cant find any prices.

3. How am I going to cut the wood?
Another problem is even if I manage to get a hold of a slab of grade A maple and I design a timeless shape how am I going to cut it. This is going to have to involve power tools, I havent got the skill to hand saw a complicated shape out of a thick chunk of wood. Power tools = cash

I'll stop there. . .

. . . found a site that sells kits, the body is already cut to shape, the neck is cut with a fret board, all holes are pre-drilled, the electrics are already done. All you do is finish it, paint it, and put it together.

www.themusicking.co.uk

They sell most guitar shapes and the prices varies depending on the shape.

I guess this is a sensible option since I have very little woodwork skills that I can brag about.

Just need to decide which one to go for.