Unlock your full potential and fuel your creativity by building your ideal guitar. And the best guitar kits let you make your own custom instrument while staying within budget.
Best Guitar Kits | Best Guitar Kits Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
 | 90 | 870+ | |||
 | 87 | 300+ | |||
 | 87 | 200+ | |||
 | 84 | 990+ | |||
 | 80 | 8 |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
DIY or do-it-yourself guitar kits let you build and customize your own electric guitar without the need to start with wood planks and without the hassle of matching specs, electronics, and hardware. Here, we look at the best of them based on actual market feedback.
These cheap DIY guitar kits come with bodies and necks that are already pre-shaped and pre-drilled for easy assembly, all that’s left to do is use your creativity to apply a nice-looking finish.
DIY electric guitar kits are often used by experienced builders as the base for their project guitars, where they tinker with the electronics and hardware.
These guitar building kits are also affordable entryways into guitar customization and building.
The kits in this edition feature a range of popular guitar shapes and configurations, offering options for various preferences.
This best electric guitar kits guide focuses on electric guitar kits that simplify the building process compared to starting from scratch.
Note that this guide only features 6 string electric guitars. If you’re looking for a 7 string guitar kit, it will not be included in this list.
Best Guitar Build Kits – 2024
BexGears DIY Electric Guitar Build Kit – S-Style
The BexGears S-Style is a solid do-it-yourself guitar kit, with good quality wood and hardware. It offers an affordable way to assemble your own Strat-style guitar.
At publication time, this was the Highest Rated DIY Guitar Kit for the second Edition in a row!
Pros:
- Affordable for a Strat-style guitar kit
- Decent Okoume, and maple neck, composite wood
- Pre-drilled body and pre-wired pickguard for easier assembly
- Clear instructions with photos
- Comparable sound quality to pricier models
- Fret ends and machine bushings require some work
- Visible pre-filled spots
- Tricky pickguard fitting
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The BexGears S-Style kit features a body made from Okoume wood and a maple neck with a composite fingerboard. Okoume provides the warm tone typical of mahogany but at a lower cost.
The body is pre-drilled and aligns with the classic Strat shape. This DIY kit includes a pre-wired pickguard with three single-coil pickups, a 5-way selector switch, and standard volume and tone controls.
The instructions are clear and feature colored photos, making the assembly process straightforward—especially helpful if you’re new to do it yourself guitar projects.
Once set up, the guitar delivers sound quality comparable to that of more expensive, ready-made models.
However, there may be a few issues to watch out for. The body finish, particularly with pre-filled spots could be noticeable if you plan to stain or paint the guitar.
Fitting the pickguard can also be tricky due to some routing inconsistencies. Additionally, installing the tuning machine bushings can be challenging, and the fret ends can use some smoothing.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable and manageable project, this do it yourself guitar kit is a good starting point for building a Strat-style guitar.
Rated 5/10 in terms of building difficulty, this kit is suitable for those with basic DIY skills and some guitar knowledge. While it might require some work to get it just right, for the price, it’s quite nice.
- Building Difficulty: 5/10
- Body: Stratocaster
- Tonewood: Okoume
- Neck: Maple
- Fingerboard: Composite
- Pickups: SSS (Three Singlecoils)
- Controls: Volume, 2 x Tone, 5-way Pickup Selector
BexGears DIY Electric Guitar Build Kit – TL-Style
The BexGears do it yourself guitar kit offers an accessible and cost-effective way to build a custom Telecaster-style guitar. For the price, it is surprisingly resonant and responsive.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Good resonance and warmth
- Simplified assembly
- Drilling and alignment inconsistency
- Basic hardware
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At an affordable price, the BexGears DIY Tele presents good value for those looking to craft their own electric guitar. The kit features an Okoume body, an economical substitute for mahogany that still delivers good resonance and warmth.
It also includes a maple bolt on neck with a composite ebony fretboard, making it a practical option for a do it yourself guitar project without compromising much on sound quality.
The kit comes with a pickguard, bridge saddle, and pre-fitted single-coil pickups, known for their bright, twangy Telecaster tones.
However, there are a few drawbacks, such as inconsistencies in drilling and alignment, which may require additional effort to correct.
The electronics and chrome hardware, while functional, may not be exceptional as well. It has mid tuners, typical of a build a guitar kit in this price range.
Overall, the BexGears DIY TL Style kit is a fun and engaging project. Assembly should be relatively straightforward, even for those with minimal experience.
It offers a rewarding experience and the potential for a satisfying final instrument, though it may require some extra work and upgrades.
- Building Difficulty: 5/10
- Body: Telecaster
- Tonewood: Okoume
- Neck: Maple
- Fingerboard: Composite ebony
- Pickups: SS (Two Singlecoil)
- Controls: Volume, Tone, 3-way Pickup Selector
Saga TC-10 DIY Electric Guitar Build Kit – TL-Style
The Saga TC-10 DIY Tele kit offers solid components, making it a nice, budget-friendly option for those ready to do some custom guitar work. It does sound good with the default hardware, but gets better as you swap out parts.
Pros:
- Affordable and great for beginners
- Pre-fretted fingerboard and pre-wired electronics simplify assembly
- Includes hardware, strings, and a cable
- Good sound quality for the price
- May require extra sanding and adjustments
- Blank headstock needs shaping
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The Saga TC-10 DIY Tele kit might cost a bit more than previous models, but it’s still a relatively cost-effective way to learn how to build your own guitar kit.
It features a solid mahogany body and maple neck, offering a warmer tone compared to the Okuome build of the aforementioned models. The pre-wired electronics save you from soldering, though it’s still wise to check the connections.
The kit includes nickel-plated hardware, a set of strings, and a guitar cable, so you can start playing right after assembly. The stock pickups deliver a punchy rhythm and twangy lead tones, ideal for punk and rock, and perform better than expected for the price.
The body and neck are solid for the price, though still not quite on par with mid-priced factory-made guitars.
However, you might need to do some additional work. Issues like pilot holes not aligning and the need for extra sanding and refinishing are common.
The headstock is blank, allowing for further customization, but it can be tricky if you’re not familiar with woodworking, and don’t have the proper tools.
Overall, the TC-10 kit is a good starting point if you’re looking to build a guitar kit for a tele-style guitar. It may require more work, but it offers opportunities for upgrades and customization.
- Building Difficulty: 7/10
- Body: Telecaster
- Tonewood: Mahogany
- Neck: Maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Pickups: SS (Two Singlecoil)
- Controls: Tone, Volume, 3-Way Pickup selector
Leo Jaymz DIY Electric Guitar Build Kit – ST-Style
The Leo Jaymz ST Style do it yourself guitar kit offers the most affordable option for those interested in assembling their own Strat guitar.
Pros:
- Mahogany body and neck for good sustain and warm tone
- Pre-drilled cavities and clear instructions
- Classic Strat design
- Requires some woodworking
- Adjustments to intonation, and bridge height
- Decent but might need fine-tuning
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The Leo Jaymz DIY ST Style is the most budget-friendly option on this list, featuring a mahogany body and neck that provides decent sustain and a warm tone.
The rosewood fretboard features pearl dot inlays and a long scale length with standard number of frets (21).
The body design is similar to a Strat, offering both comfort and the classic appearance of classic electric guitars.
The cavities for pickups and control knobs are pre-drilled, and the included instructions with pictures make the process relatively straightforward.
All necessary wiring, screws, and a set of strings are provided. But, the headstock will need shaping, which requires some basic woodworking skills and the right tools.
In terms of electronics, the kit includes an SSS pickup configuration—three single coils—providing the flexibility to play twangy as well as crunchy rock tunes.
While the guitar’s sound quality is decent for the price, you might need to make some adjustments to the intonation and bridge height to get it playing the way you want.
Overall, this do it yourself guitar kit strikes a good balance between ease of assembly and customization. This makes it suitable for both beginners and those with some experience, especially if you’re in a pinch.
- Building Difficulty: 6/10
- Body: SuperStrat
- Tonewood: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Pickups: SSS (Three Singlecoils)
- Controls: Volume, 2 x Tone
Solo PRK-1 DIY Electric Guitar Build Kit – PR-Style
The Solo PRK-1 do it yourself guitar kit offers everything you need to assemble your own PRS Style guitar. This kit looks much better with good finish work.
Pros:
- Complex wood cutting and shaping done
- High quality woods
- Stable hardware
- Neck requires additional work
- Basic tools
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The Solo PRK-1 DIY PR Style Kit is a straightforward project that requires only basic tools and finishing supplies.
The more complex tasks like wood cutting, drilling, shaping, and fret leveling have already been handled. So you can focus on the assembly and finishing touches.
The kit features a mahogany body with a flamed maple veneer top, providing a solid foundation for both tone and aesthetics.
The maple neck, paired with a rosewood fingerboard, comes unfinished, allowing for customization to suit your liking.
Equipped with two humbucker pickups and a 3-way toggle switch, it offers a nice range of tone options with separate volume and tone controls.
Meanwhile, the Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece ensure the guitar holds its tuning and offers good sustain.
Rated at a moderate difficulty level of about 6/10, the kit is accessible whether you’re new to guitar building or have some experience.
The instructions are clear, guiding you through the process while still leaving room to make the instrument your own.
While the price is comparable to a mid-quality pre-made electric guitar and is nearly double that of most other kits, the Solo PRK-1 is worth considering.
It’s a great option if you want to build high-quality guitar kits or have a guitar that truly represents your personal style and preferences.
- Building Difficulty: 6/10
- Body: PRS Style
- Tonewood: Mahogany body with flame maple top
- Neck: Maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Pickups: HH (Two Humbuckers)
- Controls: Volume, 2 x Tone
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Guitar Kits
Style/Profile
- The whole point of having your own guitar kit guitar is to build a guitar that you like, so make sure that you get one with your preferred shape and profile. Good guitar kits with classic guitar body shapes are the safest choice, as evidenced by their continued popularity in the market. But you don’t have to limit yourself to just the familiar. Spend time looking at other designs to see if you’re missing out on something cooler, something that better matches your personality. Also looking into Left Handed vs Right Handed Guitar options.
Wood Quality and Parts Alignment
- While we did our best to pick only good guitar kits, we know that in our less-than-ideal world, things can and will go wrong. So, it is imperative to check the wood quality and the alignment of the pre-drilled holes. Doing a complete scan of how holes align correctly is the first thing to do if you have just received your DIY guitar kit from an online retailer. Note that the body included in most do-it-yourself guitar kits is unfinished, so it will be up to you to learn the ropes of wood finishing and Guitar Painting and, more importantly, to utilize your creativity in getting the look that you desire.
Build Difficulty
- Compared to building something from scratch, building a DIY guitar kit listed here is relatively easy. Still, there are some that require more patience and experience, like those with set necks, hollow bodies, and F holes. On the flip side, there are good guitar kits that make life easier for you with their no-soldering required electronics and bolt-on necks. It is recommended that beginners go for easier builds, but with so much information available online, it should not hinder you from getting what you really want – just make sure to be patient and do your homework. I have yet to see a DIY Neck Through Guitar, because it may be too complex for non-professionals.
Tools
- Before taking the plunge, make sure that you have the necessary tools to build your own guitar kit. Most kits will require you to have screwdrivers, pliers, and soldering iron for the assembly process. Others require more tools, like wood glue, bandsaw, and other wood routing tools. Once you’ve decided on the finish, you’ll also have to get finishing tools like sandpaper, wood sealant, primer, paint, and more. It is also recommended to have a dedicated room or space for you to work on, a nice working table will also make work a bit more easier.
Upgrade Options
- No matter how we try to dodge the reality of mass production, at the end of the day, you will get what you pay for. So it is best to consider possible hardware upgrade options that will improve tone and playability. Most reviewers got great results by swapping out the bundled pickups for the best cheap guitar pickup, while others have opted to replace the tuners and nuts. Replacing the included hardware is also what makes these guitar-building kits fun for some, allowing them to tinker with the build a bit more.
- Before putting together your best DIY guitar kit you should look at the tips for buying an affordable electric guitar, to get some ideas.
Best DIY Guitar Kits Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on August 20, 2024
At the onset, we decided to stick to cheap DIY guitar kits that can be bought from online retailers based in the USA to ensure that the ones we recommend are accessible. We then took note of popular and highly rated kits, which required us to analyze over 5600 relevant user and expert reviews and ratings. All these data were fed into the Gearank Algorithm, which gave us a rating score out of 100 that allowed us to narrow down the list to just the best guitar kits. For more information about our methods, see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Lead Author & Researcher
Contributors
Jerome Arcon: Research, and supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Compiled using photographs of the Saga LC-10 and Ammoon V-Style.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
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Comments:
17 responses
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We’ve removed the TheFretWire DIY Electric Guitar Kit TFW027 – W Style due to it being discontinued.
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We have removed the following kit due to being discontinued: TheFretWire DIY Electric Guitar Kit TFW010 – Double Cut
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We have removed the following kit due to being discontinued: TheFretwire DIY Electric Guitar Kit – LP Mahogany.
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Publication of our May 2021 edition resulted in the following kits coming off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
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I am looking for 2 different ones. I want to get a Mosrite Ventures kit, and also a very good Stratocaster kit. Thanks, send me an email about which site I can find them on. I have not seen the Mosrite at all yet.
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Hi Michael,
We don’t send out emails, instead we publish our recommendations in the guide above.
We don’t have any Mos style options on our recommended list at present, and the Strat style kits we currently recommend are the ones you see above.
Jason.
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So, these kits cost the same as an entry-level Ibanez. Would a new entry-level Ibanez Gio have better neck & fret quality than these cheap kits? Would the Ibanez have better tuners and pickups? You see, I’m not sure if I’m paying for the privilege to assemble a guitar, or saving money by assembling myself. The first would mean the Ibanez is better. The second would mean the kit is better. Thanks to COVID I can’t go to my local music store and look at an Ibanez Gio myself 🙁
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Brian May and his father hand built his guitar and it became the famous Red Express giving Queen their iconic guitar sound.
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If you’re buying a kit then the presumption I think, is that you have a little know how with some hand tools. Being able to construct, setup and finish your own piece is highly satisfying! It really has nothing to do with making a cheap purchase and comparing a/b. I buy parts and put guitars together all the time with various degrees of success but boy is it fun!!
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I actually just bought a Gio. Specifically a GRG7221QA (7-string). Paid £194. And surprisingly its pretty well made. The body/neck fit is is excellent and the body feels solid and the neck is sublime (typical Ibanez). It’s let down by awful pickups and pots. I put in some Dimarzio D-activators and CTS pots and boy oh boy, this guitar can now sing and scream like guitars four times the price. I’d like to build a kit one day and I figure that if the wood is up to spec then I can slap in some quality pickups and have an amazing guitar. The Gio is a lot less work though…
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Guitar kits can be thought of as a way to have a lot of fun putting your own personalized guitar together, where quality is in no small part up to you, rather than as a way to save money.
If this doesn’t seem like a fun DIY project for you, then you’re probably better off going with an Ibanez GIO GRX20Z, which is an excellent choice that last year we announced was the Highest Rated Solidbody Electric Guitar Under $200.
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As a result of our October 2019 update the following guitar kits came off our recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
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Kit guitars are the way to go today. Build to your preference and to your standards. Like, feel love music and equipment.
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For reviews and building tips I suggest the you-tube channel Guns and Guitars. He’s built quite a few kits and also shows how to make some helpful tools that can save a few bucks.
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As a result of our March 2018 update the following guitar kits were removed from the recommended list above:
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Can u get the amino flying v kit with block inlays in the neck and is it set neck or bolt on? Thank u..
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It seems that the Ammoon Flying V kit is sold out – I had a look around but couldn’t find any Flying V kits that are available at the moment.
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