Top 5 tools needed to start building guitars on the cheap Part 1: Cut Straight

What do you need to build a guitar? Here is a basic list of the tools you will need. Tools that made this list are tools that I use on every build OR tool that I have used in the past until I replace them with more expensive tools.  I use far more than 5 tools, but we can break them down into 5 categories. I'm sure we could find a youtube video of Ben Crowe from Crimson Guitars doing a 36-hour build using only a 1-inch gouge.  The exact combination of tools will be highly influenced by budget and preference. Some have a preference for handtools, others prefer CNC machines, others prefer power tools, while yet others prefer only bladed tools. You even bump into those wacky people that will take a random orbit sander with 40 grit paper to a log.

TOP 5 TOOLS NEEDED TO START BUILDING GUITARS ON THE CHEAP PART 3 - Shaping and smoothing

What do you need to build a guitar? Here is a basic list of the tools you will need. Tools that made this list are tools that I use on every build OR tools that I have used in the past until I replace them with more expensive tools.  Today we look at Shaping and smoothing tools. As I write this, I realize that I really enjoy working with most of the tools in this category. Taking a rough cut out of a plank of wood and turning it into a guitar body or neck is a massive transformation. These tools are the most hand-ons tool that you will use through this process.

I made a mistake - Project BrownBird

I made a mistake. A big mistake. About a 150-hour mistake. Well, OK… let’s call it a learning experience.  It all started simply enough. Hey, this dye works on fabric, I can get it at walmart, it’s cheap. Win-Win. I’m sure it will work on wood. Sure enough, it did. It looked fantastic. Then it all went bad. Really bad.