Lesson 1Pickup selection: voicing choices, output levels, and mounting typesLearn how pickup voicing, output level, an construction affect tone an noise. Compare single‑coils, humbuckers, an P‑90s, explore magnet types, an choose mounting methods weh suit yuh body design an routing.
Single‑coil vs humbucker behaviorP‑90 characteristics and use casesMagnet types and tonal influencePickup output and dynamic rangePotting, noise, and microphonicsPickguard vs direct body mountingLesson 2Sourcing parts locally and online: realistic suppliers, cost-saving alternatives, and quality checksDevelop strategies fi sourcing parts locally an online while controlling cost an risk. Identify reputable suppliers, evaluate listings, avoid counterfeits, an plan bulk purchases, shipping, an returns fi efficient builds.
Evaluating major online suppliersWorking with local shops and luthiersSpotting fakes and misrepresented partsReading specs and product listingsBulk orders, shipping, and customsReturn policies and warranty supportLesson 3Neck wood choices: maple, mahogany, multi-piece necks for stabilityCompare maple, mahogany, an multi‑piece neck constructions fi strength, stiffness, an feel. Learn how grain orientation, laminations, an reinforcement options affect stability, resonance, an long‑term resistance to warping.
Quarter‑sawn vs flat‑sawn neck stockMaple necks: tone and durabilityMahogany necks: feel and responseMulti‑piece laminated neck designsCarbon fiber and other reinforcementsNeck weight and instrument balanceLesson 4Electronics: pots, caps, switches, jacks, wiring, shielding and grounding strategiesStudy guitar electronics: pots, caps, switches, jacks, an wiring layouts. Learn value choices, taper behavior, shielding, an grounding strategies so yuh can design quiet, reliable circuits suited to different pickup types.
Pot values, tapers, and quality gradesCapacitance, tone caps, and treble bleedSwitch types and common layoutsOutput jacks and strain reliefGrounding schemes and star groundsShielding methods and noise controlLesson 5Fretboard woods: rosewood, maple, ebony, alternatives and availabilityEvaluate fretboard woods such as rosewood, maple, ebony, an modern alternatives. Compare feel, porosity, an finishing needs, while considering sourcing, regulations, an stability under real‑world humidity changes.
Rosewood varieties and regulationsMaple fretboards: finish optionsEbony grades, color, and careEngineered and composite boardsHumidity movement and fret sproutEthical and legal sourcing issuesLesson 6Selecting tuners, bridges, saddles, and mounting hardware with cost/availability focusUnderstand how tuners, bridges, saddles, an mounting hardware influence tuning stability, sustain, an serviceability. Compare common designs, plating options, an fasteners while balancing cost, availability, an long‑term reliability.
Tuner gear ratios and housing typesLocking vs non‑locking tunersFixed bridges vs tremolo systemsSaddle materials and string contactScrews, bushings, and insertsPlating, corrosion, and maintenanceLesson 7Common tonewoods for bodies: alder, ash, basswood, mahogany — characteristics and budget considerationsExplore alder, ash, basswood, an mahogany body woods, comparing weight, resonance, an workability. Learn how grain, density, an availability influence tone, finishing choices, an realistic budget planning fi different build levels.
Alder: tonal profile and workabilityAsh: swamp vs northern characteristicsBasswood: pros, cons, and costMahogany species and density rangesWeight, balance, and ergonomicsGrain, pores, and finishing behaviorLesson 8Truss rods, nut materials, and fret wire types (nickel silver, stainless)Learn how truss rods, nut materials, an fret wire types affect playability, stability, an tone. Compare nickel silver an stainless frets, understand installation implications, an match component choices to player needs an budgets.
Single vs dual‑action truss rodsTruss rod materials and profilesNut materials and tonal impactNut slot sizing and string spacingNickel silver vs stainless fret wireFret size, feel, and service life
