Building a Guitar Template

If you are planning to build a guitar, you are going to need a template. Building a template is a simple process, but is not completely intuitive.

Supplies

To make this template, you will need:

-Guitar body

-Router table

-Bandsaw

-1/2" MDF

-Superglue and Painter's Tape OR Double Sided Tape

-Pencil

-Large paper

Step 1: Preparing the Template

Starting with your body and MDF board, trace out the outline of the body on the MDF. Cut out a rough shape from the MDF on a bandsaw. Be sure to leave a tiny amount of material outside the outline. About 1/8".

Step 2: Routing the Body Shape

Attach the body to the template using painters tape and superglue. The tape keeps the glue from sticking to the wood and makes it easy to separate the body and template when finished. Double sided tape is just as effective. At the router table, route the outline of the body onto the template. Do not worry about getting all of the material on the first try as it is hard on the router to take out too much material and you can always run it through a few times.

Step 3: Transfering the Routes

Once the template is a desired shape, you are ready to start routing out holes for the electronics and hardware. Measure from the bottom of the neck pocket to the middle of each pickup route. For the pickups, a perfect distance from the neck pocket isn't necessary as it will be routed out anyway. Drill a hole big enough for a router bit with the ball bearing on the bottom, fit the bearing through, and follow the outline of the electronics route.