This project describes how to make a CNC (computer numerical control) machine that could be used to make guitar parts. CNC may not always be the most efficient way to make guitar parts (a band saw and pin router is often the most sensible way to do guitar woodwork) but they are a flexible way to convert complicated 3D computer designs into reality.

Gary Shutt shows how to get the low 7 string sound on a normal 6 string. What you need to do is get yourself some really thick and heavy gage string like 13 through 56 or a 7 string set and just not use the 9. Once you have your strings on, you tune everything down to perfect fourths. Going from the lowest (bass) to highest strings you will have: B-E-A-D-G-B.

Piezo guitar pickups have been around for a while, especially in acoustic guitars. They use the electricity generated when a piezo film is deformed by the acoustic vibrations of the guitar. This guide shows how you can improvise a piezo pickup out of a few cheap parts.

You will need
1. Piezo Buzzer Element
2. about 1 foot of shielded audio cable

This project by John Williams shows how you can make a guitar neck using a home-built CNC machine. John built the CNC machine with plans and a kit from HobbyCNC.com. (Check out www.cnczone.com for free plans).

This article is about a guy from the Netherlands who decided to build himself a MusicMan -type bass humbucker. These humbuckers differ from guitar humbuckers in that they don’t have any baseplates and don’t use a bar magnet with steel pole pieces.

This article is from an excellent Ibanez guitar fansite: Jemsite.com .

While it specifically talks about Ibanez Edge tremolos, the same principles apply to all floating tremolo - locking nut setups.

Here are a couple of links that show you how to make your own Fender style headstock logo.

Essentially you need to design your logo on your computer, and then print a mirror image of it on transparency film. You then cut it out and glue the film to your headstock. When the headstock is varnished you should not see the join.

This abused Peavey Predator strat copy was found on the curb, buried in snow. It had no electrics or pick guard and the paint was all stripped off. The body was also cracked in the bridge area.

This guide shows how this basket case was brought back form the brink, with a new paint job and electronics. It is a good lesson in recycling rather than throwing stuff away.

Although acoustic guitars usually have spruce tops, you don't see many electric guitars with pine wood bodies. Softwoods can have a broad frequency response with good midrange resonance, giving a generally lively sound. Softwoods will dent easily, so a hardened coating is often used.

Cigar box guitars originated in the USA during the depression era, when poor people made their own instruments out of junk. They used an empty cigar box for a resonator. Many examples do not have frets and were played fretless or with a slide. Some have only 1 or 2 strings.