Last Revision: July 5th, 2021
Tired of seeing the same guitar kits floating around the web?
Well so were we – that’s why we’ve curated a list of 20 of the best DIY kits available on the internet. The kits are listed in no specific order, so you’re encouraged to look through all of them before you make a decision – #4 is our current favorite since updating the list (07/21).
A number of factors went into building this list, but the most important is this: they are all well-reviewed and from reputable kit makers. They’re also not the same generic Stratocaster kits you’re used to seeing (though there is one or two included for good measure).
While not as popular, there are a number of DIY bass kits and left-handed guitar kits available from a few choice vendors (Solo Guitars, BYO Guitar and TheFretWire in particular). There’s even some original models – see for yourself!
1. Les Paul Guitar Kit – Build Your Own
Price
170 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Gibson Les Paul
Body Wood
Okoume
Top Wood
Mahogany (veneer)
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony (composite)
Neck Style
Set
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-O-Matic style (w/ tailpiece)
Pickups
H-H
2. Saga LC-10 – Gibson Les Paul Guitar Kit
Price
244 (Free Shipping)
Style
Gibson Les Paul (1950s Single Cut)
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
Flamed Maple
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood w/ Pearloid dot inlays
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-O-Matic
Pickups
H-H
3. Steinberger-style Headless DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Price
200 (Free Shipping)
Style
Steinberger GT Pro
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Set
Scale
25.5″
Frets
24
Bridge
Tremolo w/ Tuners
Pickups
H-H
4. Thinline Telecaster Guitar Kit
Price
150 ($15 Shipping)
Style
Fender Thinline Telecaster (Left Hand ver. here)
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
Maple
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Maple
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Fixed
Pickups
S-S
5. PRS-Style Guitar Kit (Flamed Maple Top)
Price
170 ($15 Shipping)
Style
PRS Custom 22
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
Flamed Maple
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Set
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-o-Matic
Pickups
H-H
6. Ibanez RG-7 Guitar Kit (7 String)
Price
160 (FREE Shipping)
Style
Ibanez RG7
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood (w/ Pearloid inlays)
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
24
Bridge
Tremolo (Floyd Rose style)
Pickups
H-H
8. Ibanez Iceman-style Guitar Kit
Price
280 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Ibanez Iceman
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Hardtail
Pickups
H-H
9. Fender Telecaster DIY Guitar Kit
Price
120 (Free Shipping)
Style
Fender Telecaster Modern
Body Wood
Okoume
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony (Composite)
Neck Style
Set
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Fender-style hardtail bridge
Pickups
H-H
10. Gibson ES-335 Guitar Kit
Price
190 (FREE Shipping)
Style
Gibson ES-335 (Hollow-Body)
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
Maple
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
24.72″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-o-Matic
Pickups
H-H
11. Fender Jazz Bass Kit
Price
150 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Fender Jazz Bass
Body Wood
Okoume
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
34″
Frets
21
Bridge
Fixed
Pickups
S-S
12. Fender Precision Bass Kit
Price
150 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Fender Precision Bass
Body Wood
Okoume
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
34″
Frets
21
Bridge
Fixed
Pickups
S-S
13. Yamaha TRB Bass Kit
Price
140 (FREE Shipping)
Style
Yamaha TRB-X 4-String Bass
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
34″
Frets
24
Bridge
Fixed
Pickups
S-S
14. DIY Gibson Les Paul Jr. Guitar Kit
Price
170 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Gibson Les Paul Jr.
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-o-Matic
Pickups
H-H
15. BYO Guitar Finished Stratocaster Kit
Price
225
Style
Fender Stratocaster
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tremolo
Pickups
S-S-S
16. 12-String Gibson Les Paul Guitar Kit
Price
190 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Gibson Les Paul (12-String version)
Body Wood
Maple
Top Wood
Maple Laminate
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Faux Rosewood
Neck Style
Set
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-O-Matic Style (w/ Tailpiece)
Pickups
H-H
17. Unfinished Fender Stratocaster Guitar Kit
Price
75 (Free Shipping)
Style
Fender Stratocaster
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Fender-style Tremolo
Pickups
S-S-S
18. American Standard Fender Stratocaster Guitar Kit
Price
100 (Free Shipping)
Style
Fender Stratocaster American Standard
Body Wood
Okoume
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Composite Ebony
Neck Style
Bolt-On
Scale
25.5″
Frets
22
Bridge
Fixed
Pickups
S-S-S
19. SAGA Gibson LP Jr Single Cut Kit
Price
176 (Free Shipping)
Style
Gibson LP Jr Single Cut
Body Wood
Basswood
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Set
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Hardtail
Pickups
1 x P90
20. Offset Gibson SG-style Guitar Kit
Price
220 ($20 Shipping)
Style
Gibson SG (Offset Body)
Body Wood
Mahogany
Top Wood
–
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood
Neck Style
Set
Scale
24.75″
Frets
22
Bridge
Tune-o-Matic
Pickups
H-H-H
If you’re looking for a high quality electric guitar kit, this is where you’ll find it:
Check out the following online guitar kit company stores if you’re still not satisfied with the models shown here – there’s bound to be something you like:
Previous vendors such as Albatross Guitars, Saga, and others have removed their official stores, but continue to have their guitars sold through other vendors.
If for any reason you’re STILL not satisfied, you’d better head over to the DIY guitar kit vendor review article!