Lesson 1Pickup selection: voicing choices, output levels, and mounting typesLearn how pickup voicing, output level, and construction affect tone and noise. Compare single-coils, humbuckers, and P-90s, explore magnet types, and choose mounting methods that suit your body design and routing for optimal Kiwi tone.
Single-coil vs humbucker behaviourP-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 for sourcing parts locally and online while controlling cost and risk. Identify reputable suppliers, evaluate listings, avoid counterfeits, and plan bulk purchases, shipping, and returns for efficient builds in New Zealand.
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, and multi-piece neck constructions for strength, stiffness, and feel. Learn how grain orientation, laminations, and reinforcement options affect stability, resonance, and long-term resistance to warping in humid Kiwi climates.
Quarter-sawn vs flat-sawn neck stockMaple necks: tone and durabilityMahogany necks: feel and responseMulti-piece laminated neck designsCarbon fibre and other reinforcementsNeck weight and instrument balanceLesson 4Electronics: pots, caps, switches, jacks, wiring, shielding and grounding strategiesStudy guitar electronics: pots, caps, switches, jacks, and wiring layouts. Learn value choices, taper behaviour, shielding, and grounding strategies so you can design quiet, reliable circuits suited to different pickup types for local builds.
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, and modern alternatives. Compare feel, porosity, and finishing needs, while considering sourcing, regulations, and stability under real-world humidity changes in New Zealand environments.
Rosewood varieties and regulationsMaple fretboards: finish optionsEbony grades, colour, 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, and mounting hardware influence tuning stability, sustain, and serviceability. Compare common designs, plating options, and fasteners while balancing cost, availability, and long-term reliability for Kiwi workshops.
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, and mahogany body woods, comparing weight, resonance, and workability. Learn how grain, density, and availability influence tone, finishing choices, and realistic budget planning for different build levels in New Zealand.
Alder: tonal profile and workabilityAsh: swamp vs northern characteristicsBasswood: pros, cons, and costMahogany species and density rangesWeight, balance, and ergonomicsGrain, pores, and finishing behaviourLesson 8Truss rods, nut materials, and fret wire types (nickel silver, stainless)Learn how truss rods, nut materials, and fret wire types affect playability, stability, and tone. Compare nickel silver and stainless frets, understand installation implications, and match component choices to player needs and budgets for durable builds.
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
