I learned to build my first guitar from 'Guitarmaking, Tradition and Technology' by Cumpiano and Natelson. Making my first guitar was both a challenge and a thrill. This page documents the entire construction process for that instrument. I didn't have much in the way of tools, space, nor money. I had to be resourceful with a few rusty chisels and planes, a saw, and a flimsy desk in my bedroom 'workshop'. I made a lot of specialized tools that I still use today.

Today I have a more comfortable work setting and a decent collection of tools. But the process has not changed much from the first instrument, and I hope the following pages will give you a sense of the magic it is to build a guitar from scratch.

Neck

Rosette

Soundboard

Sides

Back

Assembly

Ornaments

Fingerboard

Head

Bridge

Finish

Complete

Current Workshop