Electric Guitar Construction: A Guide for the First-Time Builder [Paperback]

Tom Hirst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Q.: What on earth would make someone want to build an electric guitar from scratch? Can't you just buy one cheaper? A.: Well sure, but with this definitive book on the subject as your guide, you can create your own axe masterpiece, with the precise finish, the exact pickups, and the custom hardware you've always wanted. Plus, you'll have the indescribable satisfaction of knowing you created something cool out of nothing. And that sure beats buying off the rack! Organized logically from start to finish, this helpful guide will assist you every step of the way; from the design and planning stage to the final setup, each step in the process is written about in abundant detail, with hundreds of photographs, and special full-color sections on wood selection and finishing. Also includes a glossary of terms, an index of materials suppliers, and much more!

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Centerstream Publications (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574241257
• ISBN-13: 978-1574241259
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book but expensive., May 9, 2003

By 

Ian Hawley (Redcliffe,, Queensland. Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electric Guitar Construction: A Guide for the First-Time Builder (Paperback)

This book is a glossy well illustrated guide to building an electric guitar.
It has lots of wonderful tips and great pictures of guitar making.The book has terrific information on tone woods,Pickups,and guitar wiring.
The one critism I have of this book is that it reads in parts like a commercial for STEWMAC I agree that they are great suppliers of guitar parts and and and all the tools anyone would ever need to build a guitar.Does the author really have to appear wearing one of their branded aprons.
Do your self a favour buy the Melvyn Hiscock book it is a little more comprehensive and is written with a bit of humour and style.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent book with nice pictures, but a bit pricey..., June 16, 2008

By 

J. Crisman (Cambridge MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Electric Guitar Construction: A Guide for the First-Time Builder (Paperback)

This book certainly is useful for an aspiring luthier to have on one's bookshelf as it walks one through building a solid body guitar. I'd recommend buying a discounted or used copy though, since other books in a comparable price range tend to give more information. The price probably has to do more with being a Hal Leonard book with glossy cover and color photography, then being a comprehensive guitar building grimoire. Martin Koch's book may be a better buy though the difficulty curve may be a bit higher.

However to Hirst's credit, his book is geared toward the aspiring luthier with limited woodworking experience.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book - but is a little pricey, June 20, 2009

By 

Tropical-Rocks (PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Electric Guitar Construction: A Guide for the First-Time Builder (Paperback)

Tom Hirst has a a very good book on guitar instruction and finishing. If you are building a guitar for the first time, this is a great way to get started. I also recommend getting Oakham's book Building Your Own Electric Guitar. Why do I recommend getting 2 books? Well I am an avid woodworker and turner (lathe). I found in my experience that it is good to have complimentary references and these are great ones to have. If you don't have the money to buy both, start with Oakham's first and then get this one.