Solid Body Electric Guitar
Parts List
Quantity
Part Name
Picture Description
Quantity
Part Name
1
Guitar Body
6
Ferrules
1
Neck
2
Strap button w/screws
1
Neck Plate
2
Knobs
4
Neck Screws
2
Potentionmeter
1
Fret board
1
Nut
1
3 Way Switch
1
Fret Dots
1
Output Jack
1
Side Dots
1
Fuse
2
Fret strips (12" strips)
1
Fuse holder
1
Truss rod
1
Capacitor
1
String Guide
6
Tuners
2
String Guide Screws
1
Front (neck) pickup
1
Output Jack Cover
1
Front (neck) pickup Ring
2
Output Jack Screws
4
Pickup adjustment screws
1
Bean Plate
4
Pickup spring
2
Bean Plate Screws
4
Front (neck) pickup screws
1
Strings (set)
4
Rear (bridge) pickup screws
1
Bridge
1
Rear (bridge) pickup
5
Bridge Plate Screws
1
Rear (bridge) pickup Ring
1
Small Allen Wrench
24"
24 AWG Wire in Inches
Picture Description
Body Styles
Available for SnoCAMP
Planning
□ Determine whether you will be building a guitar with a painted body or a hardwood body
that will have a clear finish.
□ Pick a neck style that will compliment your body style.
□ Visualize how you want to contour your body.
□ Determine whether you will be adding any personal touches (i.e. laser engraving). If so,
you will need to plan for “when” you laser engrave and how contouring might affect the
engraving.
□ Always place guitar parts on a matt to protect from scratches, dents, etc.
□ Always wax screws before screwing into wood
Safety
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Always keep work area clean.
Return all tools and supplies to their appropriate storage areas
Only use tools and equipment that you have been approved to use.
Always wear appropriate PPE when working with dangerous equipment, tools, paint,
finish, etc.
□ Soldering equipment is hot. Do not touch.
Body
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Mark location and drill 7/8” Jack hole
Mark and drill 5/16” holes from electronics pocket to pick ups
Drill hole to bridge for ground
Mark contour lines of desired shape
Contour body with rasps, sureform tools, pneumatic sanding drums, etc. to desired shape.
Be sure to avoid no-fly zones.
Sand body in preparation for finish (all imperfections must be removed)
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval.
*Finishing Body (Hardwood body/Clear finish only)
□ Apply sealer
□ Apply several (minimum 3) coats of topcoat
□ Allow for adequate dry time, lightly sand between coats as needed
1st Coat
2nd Coat
3rd Coat
Team Lead or Instructor must initial after each coat.
*Finishing Body (Painted body only)
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Apply primer
Swirl dip or other paint method
Apply several (minimum 3) coats of topcoat
1st Coat
2nd Coat
Team Lead or Instructor must initial after each coat.
3rd Coat
Design Headstock (6 in-line only)
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Use Rhino template to design
Print design, cut out, transfer to headstock
Cut out on band saw
Sand any visible saw marks to smooth
Fretboard
□ Mark center locations for fret dots by drawing diagonal lines
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval.
□ Drill ¼” holes at least 1/8” deep using a drill press (be careful not to drill all the way
through)
□ Glue in wood, plastic, MOP, or other fret dots
Neck and Fretboard
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Sand on a flat surface (use chalk or light pencil marks as guide)
Check truss rod fit
Check location of 24th fret
Drill pin holds to “dry” test fit before gluing
Apply masking tape to groove in neck to prevent glue from going in slot while spreading;
be sure to remove tape before applying fret board
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval.
□ Glue fret board to neck. Use rubber bands in place of clamps
□ Remove truss rod. Clean glue off truss rod. Repeat until no glue appears on rod.
Sanding and Finishing Neck
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Check for straightness (use metal rule); adjust truss rod as needed
Sand fret board to neck on flat surface; do not use power sander
Sand 12” radius to fret board using aluminum radius sanding bar
Apply Tru-Oil finish
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval.
□ Drill holes for side dots
□ Glue side dots, cut flush
Fretting
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Clean fret wire with mineral spirits and rag to remove grime
Bend fret wire to 12” radius (or smaller) using fret wire bender
Tap in one corner using fretting hammer
Seat with arbor press; be sure to use neck caul
Cut wire close to ends with end nippers; be sure not lift up when cutting
Can use super glue on ends if needed
File frets flat (can use painters tape on neck to protect)
Bevel frets to approximately 35˚
Debur ends using diamond fret file
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval.
Electronics & Hardware
□ Solder components according to wiring diagram on page 8
□ Use wire harness to make most connections before the wiring is placed into the guitar
(potentiometers and output jack)
□ Install bridge ground wire
□ Install wiring harness
□ Make final connections with pickups and bridge ground
□ Secure potentiometers with washers and nuts
□ Secure the output jack to the jack plate & screw plate to body
□ Test connections
Continue ONLY after Team Lead or Instructor Approval
□ Place bean cover and secure with two screws
Final Assembly
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Install ferrules
Connect pickup springs to pickup rings; secure pickups to body
Install tuners (may have to ream existing holes)
Install strap buttons (be sure guitar is balanced)
Install string nut (may have to sand/file nut blank)
Screw the neck to the body using neck plate and 1¾” #8 screws
String guitar (Treble on the right/bass on the left (as seen from the front) leaving the
strings slightly loose
□ Install string guide
□ Set string action using gauge (file nut or change saddle)
□ Intonate guitar (see separate handout)
Name: ___________________________________
Day
Date
Description of Work Done
Goal(s)
Monday
What was accomplished?
Goal(s)
Tuesday
What was accomplished?
Goal(s)
Wednesday
What was accomplished?
Goal(s)
Thursday
What was accomplished?
Goal(s)
Friday
What was accomplished?
Hours
Start Time
End Time
Start Time
End Time
Start Time
End Time
Start Time
End Time
Start Time
End Time
Week 1 Tota l Hours
Monday’s Notes
Tuesday’s Notes
Wednesday’s Notes
Thursday’s Notes
Friday’s Notes