Easier to build acoustic or electric?

[darkshadow54321]

If you wanted to build a guitar, which would be easier to make? The neck is usually the hardest part about the whole process, so imagine the neck is already made.

The actual construction, carving, putting it all together, etc... On which project would it be easiest?

 

[Hawkman]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

I don't have any experience building guitars... but, I would imagine it is much easier to build a solid body electric vs. a chambered acoustic.

1 thick "slab" (Leo Fender term) of wood vs. several thin pieces which need to be shaped and glued together. If I was considering building an axe I'd definately try a solid body electric first.

 

[jmv]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

I'd figure electric...

The bracing on an acoustric is very important, so unless you're able to copy an already proven design, that'd be really tough to get right, and even if you had the right design, if its too thick or whatever, the top won't vibrate, so you end up with a sonically dead guitar, or if its too thin, the top will break, which isn't fun. And you have to bend the sides into the correct shape, which would be real tough if you don't have a template or the right equipment...

With an electric, i'd say the hardest part would be the routing for the pickups and control cavity.

 

[darkshadow54321]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

Yeah, I imagined so. Thanks guys!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

electric is way easier, even a chambered body electric. an archtop or acoustic is much mroe complicated, at least for me

 

[mrid]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

Electric by far...there's so much craftsmanship that goes into an acoustic.

 

[Artie]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

If you screw up an acoustic, you've got really expensive firewood.

If you screw up an electric, you can take all the parts, including the neck, and put them on a Warmoth or USACG body, and have a really great guitar.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

It's a lot harder to build a boat than just a paddle! :laugh2: Lew

 

[StefanM]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

What eveyone else said - definetly an electric. I wouldn't even attempt building an acoustic unless I really had the right materials, a great book on the subject, and knew a lot about glues. Even then, what jmv & artietoo said.

You have already pointed out the neck already being made - I'd never build a neck - but I don't know of anywhere that sells acoustic necks, and even then acoustic guitars AFAIK are all glued in set necks. I recomend building a bolt-on neck electric though, it's a very rewarding project!

 

[darkshadow54321]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

Is it really much harder to build a set neck electric compared to a bolt on? I mean, obviously a bolt on would be easier, but if you take the time and effort and do things carefully a set neck can't be that much harder... Can it?

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Easier to build acoustic or electric?

you could also look into a neck thru, all you have to do is make the wings and you don't have to worry about the neck angle or anything.