Will Kelly - How to Build Electric Guitars: The Complete Guide to Building and Setting Up Your Own Custom Guitar

Shu Tomioka, Player magazine

In my 30-plus years as Eric Claptons guitar tech, I handled a lot of great guitars I mean, A LOT. I often wonder where life wouldve taken me were it not for the electric guitar and the profound impression it left on my life. So many wonderful inventions have changed the way we play and listen to music over the past 60 years, but a plugged-in electric guitar has got to be one of the greatest! In some ways, they remind me of womenonce you have the right one in your arms, youll never want to let go. Having said that, as with women, every guitar is unique. I suppose in modern parlance the correct term would be the perfect partner!

Ive been fortunate to work with some of the worlds greatest guitarists. I always find it fascinating how very similar some are in their guitar tastes, and how very different others are. When you look at whats available, the choices are vast and amazing: different woods, pickups, finishes, etc. And, of course, there are our favorite manufacturers whose wares we crave! And like me, you probably have particular favorites that seem to feel, sound, and look just right. During three decades, Ive fixed them, played them, cared for them, bought them, and sold them. But at the end of the day, every great guitar has one thing in common: someone put a lot of love and soul into its creation!

Have you ever thought of pouring your own love and soul into a one-of-a-kind instrument? With this book and some patience youll be able to build a great guitar from a kit, even aging it to get that vintage vibe if you wish. Will Kelly is a great musician, builder of great custom-made guitars, and one of my dearest friends. Its fascinating to watch Will construct a guitar, and customizing it to his clients exact specs. In this book, he takes you through every step of the process in his own inimitable style, making it clear, concise, andmost importantlyeasy to understand.

I was lucky enough to spend some time at his Hard Knocks Guitars shop last year and watch the man at work. Will told me he was anxious to learn some tricks from mein reality, it was the other way around! Will had just finished a stunning relic Strat in Sherwood metallic green for my good friend Johnny Hiland. I can honestly say it was one of the best Strats that Ive played and thats saying something! The look and the feel were straight out of the 60s, and the sound was right on the money. That weekend Will told me about writing this book and asked me to get involved. He could have asked any number of well-known musicians or guitar techs to write this foreword, so I am especially honored that he chose me. All the good stuff is in this book, so get that workbench area tidy and ready to build your own electric guitarand may you both live happily ever after! When your guitar is finished and you strum your handiwork, youll be amazed at what youve accomplished with the expert guidance in these pages.

Love, Peace, Guitars,
Lee Dickson

This book documents four guitar builds that comprise one sequential timeline. A basic degree of expertise is imparted during the construction of the Strat-style guitar in , and so on. In other words, the techniques and procedures presented in each chapter provide a strong foundation for the introduction of subsequent skill sets. It should be noted that once a technique has been imparted, the procedure is not interjected in later chapters unless there are significant differences pertaining specifically to the new chapter. It is hoped the reader will expand their skills organically by following the builds in sequence. All of this said, however, the book can also work as a reference for the enthusiast looking for instructions or advice on specific aspects of the guitar-building process.

The advent of CNC machining has resulted not only in affordable kit parts, but also in manufacturing tolerances that are nearly perfect. You should experience no problems in areas such as component fit, hardware-mounting-hole locations, and the overall integrity of the completed instrument. Fine-tuning the action, intonation, and playability of the guitar after youve assembled it will determine the success of your instrument from a players standpoint. Such considerations as the appearance of the finish are subjective. Professionals know that lacquer paint takes years to cure properlythe new finish you sprayed on your guitar yesterday will still be settling for years to come. Producing flawless, glass-like finishes takes patience and time.

One other bit of advice: Guitar repairmen are well-known for freely sharing information. I believe this comes from the fact that a lot of repairs attempted at home ultimately end up in their shops. Educating guitar owners in the basics of guitar upkeep helps preserve instruments for the large community of guitar players out there. If you get stuck with a particular section or procedure in this book, dont be afraid to head down to your local music shop and talk with the repairman. You should probably get to know him anyway. If hes any good, hell set your build project straight in no time and will be a great resource should you start investigating upgrades and modifications down the road.

An instrument you construct yourself is something that will eventually be passed down to future generations. The time, money, and effort you invest today will be owned, played, and judged for years to come. So be patient and diligent, and take the time now to do the little things right. The fine details do matterespecially when it comes to guitars.

Enjoy!

There are so many versions of the venerable Strat-style guitar. Deciding to build one yourself will quickly present a plethora of choices. Whether you assemble your components independently from various sources or purchase an all in one kit from a manufacturer, there are still some decisions to make before laying down your hard-earned money.

Lower-priced guitar kits usually provide you with everything required to assemble a working instrument. They include a hardwood body, neck, inexpensive hardware, and electronic components, even guitar strings and a connecting cable. These kits are a great way to try out the assembly and setup process, and to find out if youre up to the challenge. But, at the end of the day, youll still have a budget guitar because of the lower-quality components provided in the kit.