The Guitar Builder's Buying Guide

Your guitar's neck is what really determines the feel of the instrument. The first thing to consider is the shape on the back of the neck. Do you prefer a thicker C-shape that fills your palm like a baseball bat? Or is a slimmer, modern C- or D-shape more your speed?

It's also smart to note the type of wood used for the neck and the fretboard, as they can have an impact on tone, feel, and of course, the appearance of your finished guitar. The finish on the back of the neck can be glossy or satin, and each offers a different feel, so be sure to check!

When you think of a certain type of guitar tone in your head, chances are you're imagining the sound of certain pickups. Whether a set of single-coils, or a pair of humbuckers, the pickup world is your oyster when building your own guitar. Want to build a metal machine? Look into active pickups for enhanced output and articulation with high-gain tones. And if you want to capture the specific tone of a favorite artist, getting their signature pickups or a pre-wired pickguard make it easy.

Just make sure your guitar's body routing will accommodate the pickups you want, or enlist a luthier's help to make your dream a reality. Want more info on pickups? Check out our Pickups Buying Guide!

Also important when considering pickups is choosing the electronic components that will translate their signal through your guitar and out to your amp. We carry an array of wiring harnesses that simplify this process. Just connect a harness to your pickup and it's an easy drop-in procedure! Certain harnesses and electronic components can also open up new doors of tonal possibilities with coil-taps, boost functionality, and more.

Of course, you'll want to make sure the pots featured in your guitar can accommodate the signal of your pickups. If you're unsure, contact one of our Gear Experts at 800-996-8637 for more information!

You might not think much about them, but getting the right set of tuning machines for your guitar will help save time during string changes, enhance tuning stability, and add to the overall wow factor of your custom creation. Innovations like locking tuners and enhanced tuning ratios make for a better overall experience.

Give your guitar authentic vintage vibes, a modern look, or glitzy gold touches with a set of tuners! Just make sure you're getting the correct configuration for your headstock -- most are either 6-in-line or 3-on-a-side. Be sure any holes on your headstock match up with the tuners, or else you'll be drilling those yourself.

A good guitar bridge holds strings in tune, effectively translates their vibrations to the body, and provides a comfortable place for your picking hand to rest. Whether you want a tremolo-equipped bridge or a stationary hardtail is up to you and your playing style. And like every other guitar part, bridges can look cutting-edge and modern, or hearken back to "golden age" instruments.

Be sure to check a bridge's string spacing and the holes you'll use to mount it to your guitar -- not every bridge is compatible on every body and neck!