My First Guitar

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Books-
"Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar": amzn.to/3fjwh2M
"Complete Guide to Building Kit Acoustic Guitars": amzn.to/2SmIN90
"The Guitar Player Repair Guide": stewmac.sjv.io/BXozBq
"Guitar Finishing Step By Step": stewmac.sjv.io/6b5Pkm
"Fretwork Step by Step": stewmac.sjv.io/DVzbJ2
"Guitarmaking, Tradition & Technology": amzn.to/3wwJA5T
"Classical Guitar Making": stewmac.sjv.io/5bPMx2
"Making Master Guitars": amzn.to/3viuVeh
"The Luthiers Handbook": amzn.to/3wpIRDs
"Electric Guitar Making & Marketing": stewmac.sjv.io/kjGaAM
Kits-
StewMac Triple-O Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/yRQeoD
StewMac Dreadnought Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/jWAnjn
StewMac OM Style Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/5bPMBn
StewMac Wilkinson Model-S Complete Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/Gj30YE
StewMac Wilkinson Model-T Complete Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/Xx3L55
StewMac 335 Style Guitar: stewmac.sjv.io/za9eDm
StewMac Ukulele Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/Ry3OD7
Tools-
StewMac Guitar Building Tool Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/MX3DYP
StewMac Complete Shop Tool Kit: stewmac.sjv.io/e4Pr5g
For more information on Driftwood Guitars, please visit
www.DriftwoodGuitars.com

[@jamessoutham8332]

I'm an apprentice luthier in Australia, working today my boss made a very big mistake & and it just helped me feel that little bit better about every mistake I make knowing that someone I lookup to with decades of experience can do something just as stupid

[@JD-jb8ho]

Your new shirts remind me of the old Air Force greens. Did basic in 1986 though and they phased them out soon after. Go Air Force! You guys are my new favorite channel. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for being so entertaining👍 🎸

[@jobleynoel]

I started building in 1993, I was a woodworker and had just started playing bass. I kept looking at these nice Modulus and Smith basses in a shop but I couldn't afford anything nice like that, and the shop owner was pretty tired of me hanging around. He said, "go build one" and so I did. I'm up to around 75 instruments now and still find it constantly challenging and fun. All your advice is spot-on, guys.

[@jimwarnock1250]

Loved the lessons learned. My mother used to say, some things are worth doing poorly.

[@eddcarlile8973]

Such a great encouraging upload!

[@danlsmock]

Listening to your story of how you worked on things with your dad, joined the service and ended up building guitars sounds familiar. My dad and I did woodworking projects together and got into RC planes building them from scratch, I joined the Coast Guard after high school but continued woodworking and building things. I retired from the Coast Guard and am close to finishing my second career and decided to pick up the guitar again after many years. Started watching your channel and several others which convinced me I could build a guitar. I've built 2 electric ones and I am currently well into my first acoustic which so far is going well. Thanks for a great channel with such outstanding content!

[@sips1er1]

I love your channel guys. Your dynamic is great and the content is top notch. Keep it up!

[@dalgguitars]

Thank you for your video. Great advice.

[@Oldwomanonabike]

Thank you for this.

[@stellingbanjodude]

What’s funny, my first guitar turned out awesome, my second one fought me tooth and nail. I’m on my 8th one now, it’s the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done .

[@zapa1pnt]

That's the downside of "beginner's luck". The first one didn't teach you a damned thing and made you "cocky". So then, you did all your, first time, learning on the second one. Glad you stuck with it.

[@tompurvis1261]

Watched your video. Guitar sounds nice.

[@stellingbanjodude]

@@tompurvis1261 thank you, I appreciate that

[@radovandragun7673]

That’s super inspiring Chris, thank you. I am in the process of building my 1st electric guitar and so far, it has been taking me over 2 years. I have made like a milion mistakes but I want to finish it and if it doesn’t play well, I will proudly hang it on the wall. Acoustic guitar is definitely on the list. You are a great builder, thank you many times, so glad I found your channel.

[@polescalante]

I started a stewmac kit a few years ago and when I got to binding it, I decided to get curly maple binding instead of the plastic that comes with it but got stuck on it trying to bend it, so it's on the shelf at the moment. I later started building Shamisens (Japanese stringed instruments) from scratch and have been working very hard on those for the past year or so. Acoustic instruments, the wood, the smell of wood, the grain, weight, texture, color... and sound. All my favorite things in life. I have been watching your channel more and more lately and I really enjoy it! I watched your 1 hr guitar build video (Koa) soon after it came out and found it amazing! I really admire your work. Thanks

[@benowensmusic6897]

Thanks Chris and Matt for all of these wonderful videos.Not only are your guitars awesome , but your teaching and communication skills are most inspiring.Keep up the videos!

[@ewanblack5026]

That's great, I'm using the Kinkead book plans for my first build. Now he seems to show a dovetail neck joint. Thanks for the encouragement you give us all

[@jrmakawoody]

Building my first right now and I’m learning a lot about grain runout. Using the same book as well.

[@malcolmboynton7652]

Just stumbled across your channel a week ago. Now subscribed. Thank you. I built a few about 30 years ago with varing degrees degree of suck. Lowered my sights to custom furniture because i had to pay the bills. Luckily all my jigs and bending machine (home made) and a couple unfinished guitars are still in the attic. Time to get back at it.

[@likeakite]

I've only just found your channel and it's brilliant...thanks

[@jikkermanccini]

Absolutely inspiring video. I'm about to start my first build and it's very comforting to know what to expect.

[@NefMed]

Thank you for this video brother...

[@trident1314]

Chris, great to hear your back story. You are clearly naturally gifted when it comes to working with your hands creating things, your guitars look superb. I'm not a big fan of over the top inlays but the level of detail in your work is superb

[@Spheramid]

Hey Chris, thanks for the great wisdom you pass along. I had a much different introduction to lutherie, I began as a furniture maker, and found myself hired to build bass guitars for a very high end electric bass maker due to my my skills in woodwork. Then I became a builder of pipe organs for a few years because I LOVED the engineering involved in complex builds. Then I created a position for myself in a local company that was just beginning as a production engineer, and we went from about 8 guitars a month to over 40...then we began making Ibanez electrics. Had a short stay at Martin in R&D shop..but have yet to make my own "first guitar" ( acoustic). I will now take your advice and begin..just so ya know, at 60 years old, I know, the suck will embrace you back.

[@short6691]

Fascinating origin story! This is why I feel food about supporting you via patron!

[@davidchester5784]

That matches my experience building electrics. My first one sucked, my second was ok, but the rest have been great. I'm finishing up #6 and then I'm gonna take the plunge into acoustic building. Hopefully some of the skills translate!

[@cadarado425]

My first guitar came about after I found a piece of driftwood from a very old ship. A little research later and I found the ship was made in New England in the 1870s and had shipwrecked here in Iceland shortly after. It was white oak. So after letting it dry for a few years I decided it is to become an electric bass. I made a 5 string fretless and used the oak as a bookmatched top. I was hooked. Yes, mistakes were made, the only power tools I used was a drill, a router and a jigsaw. I've made 8 stringed instruments since then and am currently building two acoustic basses at the same time.

[@stevecarver4906]

Thanks for sharing that I've built about thirty or so sold a few everybody loves them but I like it as a hobby there is something about the no stress element, thats how hobbies should be besides I still haven't built my best one 🤣

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Ahhh, the sweet spot! Keep at it, and keep enjoying it!

[@edhume5219]

"Embrace the Suck." So concise. So true and related to almost any creative endeavor: you will suck at whatever you try to do the first time. The second time will be infinitely better but also not be what you envisioned. I've found that the third time, if you've learned and become wiser, will be close enough to your expectations that you will want to keep going. That's a huge win. Perseverance is underappreciated, because in our heart of hearts, we want it NOW! Learning a craft takes time. Awesome video!

[@jethrobrussaard]

Definitely one of my favorite episodes, guys! Always nice to hear testimonies ;-). I started guitar building school September last year. It's an official Instrument Building school in Belgium, for adults, 1-2 days a week. Quite a unique place! Currently working on my first instrument: a nylon string 'backpack' guitar. Maple-Spruce. Similar look to backpackers Martin puts out. This week I am looking forward to 'close the box'. 🙂

[@AdamKyler1987]

I’d buy a hat!!! Or a T-shirt! I’m a huge fan of your work and the channel. Keep the videos coming!

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

I’ll let you know as soon as we have some available! We appreciate you watching.

[@MrPab1lb]

@@DriftwoodGuitars I'd buy one too. (a hat, not a guitar...at least not yet)

[@Today_I_Want_To]

I'll buy a shirt and a hat. I believe that they come with a guitar as gift.... Oh course the hat costs 3 000 and the shirt 5000$... 🤭

[@zapa1pnt]

@@Today_I_Want_To For $5000, you're getting a set of buttons.

[@ronniejarvis2679]

Seriously inspiring video. Been wanting to pursue lutherie as a hobby for years. This video is pushing me to take the beginning steps

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Embrace the suck and get started

[@stephen3073]

Great video, guys! I'm a new subscriber, and I love binge-watching your channel, because we have so many things in common. I've been building guitars since 2000, and professionally since 2008, brand name Edwinson Lutherie. I started my first guitar in June 2000, and it took three months of evenings and weekends to build. It was an SJ size, original design, and it had a very streaky Cedar top that came from a (literally!) $2/BF plank that my shop partner found at Dunn Lumber in Seattle. The back and sides were some very plain Honduran Mahogany. I'll never forget stringing it up after that long maiden voyage came to the poiunt of inception. It was one of the best sounding guitars I'd ever played! That's not saying much, though. And the craftmanship and design were pretty rustic. I took this guitar with me to the Healdsburg Guitar Festival (as a spectator) in 2001, and actually was able to show it to Ervin Somogyi. The Great Master was unimpressed with my aesthetic sensibilities, but he was very complimentary of its sound and setup. He actually told me that I may have a future in lutherie if I stick to it and work hard. Eureka! I'd recieved the blessing of the Holy Man! I wound up giving that guitar to one of my genius player friends, and he still owns it, and still loves it (Hi, Paul!). Last time I saw it, it was so battle-scarred and beat up, it looked like it had gone through three world wars. But still hanging on, and sounding wise beyond its years. Your first guitar looks very impressive. Maybe in a future video you can string it up and play it...?

[@cincinatismith767]

First I love your channel. I love your honesty, humility and great info. It really helps a beginning and experienced builder. My first guitar was going to be the most amazing ever as well just like yours! Birds eye maple, cut away, mother of pearl everywhere. It was disaster and never got past strings for an hour or so but I did learn a ton and it hangs on my shop wall as a memento of my journey. Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@mattkennedy2470]

On my 4th build now, will be a 000-42 style early martin with sunburst top using a stewmac kit as the base. First was OM-28 martin kit inspired to build for my guitar playing and singing daughter. Next two were an OM-28 and a D-41 both based off martin kits and for musician friends. Each is a unique experience in patience. I think i am ready for a full from scratch build but neck carving is intimidating! Cant wait! Channel is awesome keep up great work.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Glad you’re still digging it! Let me know if I can be of any help. You should be more than ready for a scratch build.

[@northtrader]

"Give yourself permission to not be good at it" - second best quote from the video. "Embrace the suck" would be first. Both are great statements. As a perfectionist (been told that many times) the 'permission to not be good at it' rings a little louder on a personal level. Great content. Really enjoy the channel.

[@boblybill]

I convinced my dad to build an acoustic guitar over Christmas break 2019. It took us about 6 months to finish it. Dad, I think, wisely suggested we build a kit guitar first. It turned out really well as far as playability and sound still one of our favorite sounding guitars. He is in his 5th. I'm hopefully about to start my second.

[@zapa1pnt]

Chris, you have, certainly, come a long way, in the 15 years you have been doing this. Your guitars are, absolutely, beautiful.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Thanks a lot!

[@timort2260]

Great video, really makes me want to start my first. I customize/ruin guitars a few times a year but seems like such a big project to build. But you're right only one way to learn.

[@kwaktak]

I could write a book about my first build here's the short version of what's been a 15 year journey. My first build started off as a dare between me and a friend who were inspired by a luthier we had both befriended but wasn't looking to take on an apprentice. We used the same book to try and flesh out the ambiguous advice our luthier friend would give us. My first guitar is based off a Gibson J-185 but it's got a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. I was also inspired when I saw pictures of James Olson's guitars so I did a laminated neck too. "Chunky" is a good word to describe how it turned out. It's overbraced, the body is a bit too deep and the neck feels like a baseball bat in my hand. It took me four years to build because I've been prioritizing my kids but I saw it through and finished about 8 years ago. Life hasn't allowed me the time to jump into it even as a hobby but I've been working on #2 when I can, which has been both better and worse. I'm about ready to start applying finish. I have wood for #3 waiting as well. I need to pick up the pace though because I'm not getting any younger!

[@jasont659]

Great video and nice seeing your first build after watching your other videos! I'm working on making my first (ukulele) mainly since wife picked up playing them and coming from family of wood workers I went, "heck, I can build that!" Learning soo much through the process of lutherie has been fun. I went cheap and just took wood laying around bookmatched my own wood (front from a pine fence board, lol, back from some rainbow popular). But it has been a blast so far. Haha, my inlays are sad (been 20+ years since I've done that lol). Great hobby and I can see how can become a career with how fun it is to make lutherie items. Already looking for my next wood for my next one!

[@user-ch9jo8mi7m]

After 40 years of woodworking, my son said he wanted me to help him make a guitar. My first three guitars were actually electric guitars, Les Paulesqe style. After building a ES 355 semi hollow body guitar, I then had the urge to build an acoustic guitar and that's where I am now. Mistakes, I can't stop making them, but... I am learning.

[@scottakam]

Thanks for sharing your story. My first guitar build was an electric. What I imagined to be the perfect combination of Strat and SG. I had done a lot of wood working before that so it came out ok. I still love to play it. I can see how going a little wrong with an acoustic can make it sound terrible. One of the reasons I started with electric.

[@stefanmerchant1883]

Thank you for sharing this. I am building my first acoustic from scratch and this video has proved inspirational. Like many others, I thought my first guitar would be an amazing piece of craftsmanship and I can already tell that won't be the case. However, your advice to finish the project is SO important and so I will. Thanks!

[@VAXHeadroom]

I just came in the house from putting the 1st coat of finish on my 1st build. It's an electric that PRS started and apparently scrapped because of a chipped headstock. So I'm learning the end before the beginning, but there's a 12 string acoustic in my future (I've been playing a 12 string for 46 years), so I super appreciate all your insights!!

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Score! Knowing how to do the finish will come in handy when you do your first from scratch.

[@rogeriocosta1035]

Good advise! I do some work on guitars and I'm confident I can do to very good fret job, but when I tried to use stainless frets it was a lot harder and the final result was way above expectations. Glad I did that on a inexpensive instrument first. ( I don't know why but the automatic CC is disable in your videos, I think it is important to get some international audience.)

[@CMRWoodworks]

Thanks for sharing your 1st guitar with us! I‘m in the middle of building my first. It‘s an OM style. Loving the process… well, except for thicknessing the sides and back with a card scraper 😵‍💫

[@JRJ2000]

Hey. Nice to see you here. Your guitar looks a lot better than his first one in some ways. I am sure your first guitar has taught you a lot of things that will go into your next one. 👍

[@jeffpeterson8522]

Very cool! I feel it is quite nice for a first effort. I have long felt that wooden instrument building is one of the pinnacles of woodworking. I am also an aircraft mechanic, civilian, love sheet metal work and having retired from working for a regional airline, have my own business doing paint and body work in custom cars. My first effort was a ukulele, which I feel turned out pretty respectable. Also just kind of dived in. I don’t think I’ve done my last uke, but I also want to do guitars. Thanks for the great videos!

[@gimliman6]

I just completed my first kit. I made many mistakes along the way, and had to overcome a few flaws in the kit, but I approached it with the mindset that if turns out to be a wall hanger woodworking project, I would be happy, if it was playable I would be elated. Well, it is playable, sort of, but it has given the incentive and confidence to attempt a scratch build. I have no delusions about how good it will be, but it will be fun to try. Thank you for sharing your talent and advice.

[@bradleydean4061]

I love your videos, i indeed do feel inspired to start building! But I do remember building one when I was nine or ten out of an old tennis racket and some random wires, and some shoe strings for the strap!

[@alfaryhahaha]

as always very inspirational videos 🍺

[@KragenbrinkGuitars]

Hi Chris, great video! My first guitar was a Martin guitar kit. I learned a lot! Second guitar was a full from scratch Cedar over rosewood OM. Keep up the great content! I am enjoying! Best Lance K

[@louishayes2173]

Thanks for sharing your story, so many of us (luthiers) have balsa model airplanes in our history!

[@MobRules2112]

My first guitar was in High School shop class.....1983. I still have the carcass. I of course chose the finest OAK to build a solid body electric from. Glued up 6 pieces and promptly got the neck pocket at the wrong depth. Hand held a router to make a modified "S" type pickup config with no jig or template......bolted on a store bought neck and stopped dead in my tracks. The guitar never progressed from there due to my errors. Now talking about it....I think I can fix it and make it sing for the first time in 38 years !! I think it needs a new lease on life !! I am so glad I saved it. Great channel, hope to meet you one day and talk woodworking. I live in the faraway north of Crestview. I cant wait to see the new "t" type guitar you are building. Keep up the sawdust !!!

[@ZandvlietGuitarCompany]

I’m 15 and I’m building my first guitar, it is almost done. It did take me a little less than a year tho, let me tell you all what went wrong ;) - bridge plate I put a oversized padouk bridge plate in just to regret it afterwards. I pull it out but with doing so got a pallet knife stuck in the top, lucky lucky me was so lucky that most of it will be covered up by the bridge. - shape of the guitar A mold was way to expensive for me to buy and I did not have the tools to make one so I just freehanded it, it worked out pretty wel but the guitar is a little uneven. But on that note, I did ben the sides with a $7 hair curler, so I’m not to mad about it :) - Binding/perfeling (that is probably speld wrong, I’m not a native speaker give me some slack here) I cut out the binding/perfeling slots by hand, so there not perfect in any way... pretty happy to be honest Looking back I should have probably not have used wood binding but just regular plastic binding, that would have made my live a lot easier, and it would have probably also looked a lot better. - finish I am working on the finish at the moment (I’m using a nitro finish) wut it have a weird brouw-ish color, not really my fault, but still That is about it for now, I’m sure that more problems will arise when I’ll gluing on the neck and bridge. Thanks for making these video’s it really helps a lot!

[@patrickjoy9551]

I have built a couple of "kits" and now am building from scratch. What has been the lightbulb moments for me is the amount of time and materials for building just the jigs and fixtures for scratch building. That for me has been almost as rewarding as actually building the guitar itself. Every aspect you need some kind of jig, fixture or work board. Some instances you need a jig just to build another jig. With each one I feel my comfort level grow as well as the knowledge of tool usage and skill refinement before actually working on the guitar woods.

[@-Madkrafter]

I built my first guitar, a non-cutaway acoustic of my own design from scratch in 2003-2004. It took me quite a while because I ended up building all the jigs too: radius dishes (but first the jig to make them), Fox side bending machine, binding cutter and body holder. It actually turned out great. Full disclosure: I’ve been a woodworker all my life. It was Indian Rosewood back & sides with a bear claw Sitka Spruce top. My next was a Florentine cutaway, Honduran Rosewood for my best friend. I recently finished my 5th, an OM-ish size with Walnut B&S and all the spruce from my mom’s 1960 Wurlitzer piano. They keep getting better!

[@Woodified]

I started playing guitar 2 months ago. I got 4 lessons in and they got cancelled due to COVID 😩. Now I've been researching how to build a guitar. Looks like a lot of work but I feel like it would be a really rewarding experience even if the first guitar doesn't turn out so good.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

You can do it!

[@zapa1pnt]

Build the best piece of crap you can, out of crap wood ( I said Crap not scrap), just to get used to the steps and motions. That way, whatever piece you screw up, you can toss it and start over (if you can't fix it). Once you feel comfortable and more confident, get some lower quality guitar wood and try again. Slowly, step up, on the wood as you get better. You don't want to blow a good set of top, back or sides.

[@PaulK813]

I wish I had discovered woodworking earlier. But, I did eventually and love it! I first built a ukelele from a kit with almost no tools. Had to trim the top with a chisel. It was bad. Next was a Uke from scratch and that sounded better and I had more tools. I recently finished my first guitar from a kit and it turned out much better than I expected. I think it's actually playable. I would love to find a luthier that I could walk through a build with to build some confidence in technique, but that may have to wait. Love the videos! Keep up the great work.

[@walterrider9600]

thank you . i am hopeful on my build lol . 1st one a classical well 2 out of sassafras ( had a nice tone to it ) . sadly i had not learned to look at the boards well . yup rot on both BUT i can still get a back and sides out of it . being old geezer not in hurry like i was as a kid . when weather gets cold i hibernate till warm hits again .

[@gregslack3952]

I absolutely love this channel! Thank you so much. When you talk of building, your joy shows on your face. I watched a video of the eastman factory in china. Was expecting a lot of unenthusiastic very poor people worked like dogs. And I didn't see that at all. The workers, from the lowest to the highest positions were happy and proud of their work and it showed. I was amazed. WHen they say "hand built" they are not kidding. Perhaps they made the video to stress that aspect and hid the large CNC machines and robots. But somehow I just didn't get that vibe. It felt genuine to me. I like the idea of a person making my guitar, shaping the neck, voicing the top. Maybe each guitar is different from the next but isn't that what an instrument is supposed to be? Unique, like the person crafting it, or playing it. Anyway, just want you to know keep these coming, you have a huge fan.

[@alandust2188]

Still working towards the first build. I remember watching a video and the guy said that from the time you decide to build a guitar to actually building it is between 6 months to a year. Well it's been a year and I still haven't gotten there yet. Done some repairs, etc but still no build. Seems like life just getting in my way. Anyway, Thanks for the inspiration.

[@TheOdditee]

This was a very pleasant way to spend 15:00. Very nice content, gentlemen. Cheers 🎸👍

[@Grumpy_CBG]

I'm not there yet, currently building cigar box style 3 string guitars, first was a kit and meh, it has since sold, built 9 so far, definitely on a whole new level of quality and playability, another 6 on the go, all Australian hardwoods cos that's my thing, would love to give a 6 string accoustic a crack, maybe down the track a bit, but for now I will continue with the 3 stringers. Best therapy you could ever do, that first time you string up and tune up, and hear your creation for the first time is awesome. Hope to learn what I can from your vids about tone woods and what to look out for in my wood selection process.

[@davidrachubka5300]

I started with 5 ukuleles. I bought a mahogany board from Home Depot and sliced it up on my band saw. It looked like a ukulele and played OK. Made one for myself with Cocobolo and yellow ceder and one for my wife with Koa. They played well and looked very nice. Starting with a ukulele gives a quick result for very little money. I've since made 6 guitars. The first is a close copy of a Martin OM28. It looks great and plays very well due all the videos I've watched on finish and setup. Also I found two mentors which will minimize your mistakes . My 6th guitar is a Dred With Cocobolo and Adirondack spruce. Sounds Amazing and looks beautiful.

[@gtrplr778]

I'm more of a player than a builder, but the two acoustics I've made sound fine and look ok. My emphasis is sound and playability first, you're right about finishing the guitar. Very important. Don't be too critical of your efforts, you'll figure it out. Take copious notes, measure everything and write it down, also take lots of pics and videos. You have an informative and well produced channel, great content. Yeah, don't get discouraged and give up, nothing beats guitar making in terms of personal satisfaction. Good stuff guys. Later

[@slowfinger2]

That was inspiring, Chris. 👍👍👍Subscribed. Here's why. I started work on my second guitar in 1996. I put aside the premium top and went with a lower grade, because it was my first attempt at a cutaway. Had to move house, got married, and then got hung up at the binding stage, so it sits in a box to this day. Top and sides together with neck dovetail. Back braced, neck made, and everything else a pile of parts. 27 yrs. Yikes! I feel the urge now to move on that. 🤔☺

[@TempoJunkies]

Love this channel! I've dreamed of building an acoustic from scratch so I started with buying a clunker on craigslist for $10 and I'm attempting to restore it. Keyword being "attempting".

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

You gotta start somehow, so good on you!

[@mgdesigns37069]

My story is blogged on TDPRI as "The one that got away" - trying to replace a real deal 1959 Les Paul Standard Gold Top that was stolen from me in 1983. I cannot afford to replace that guitar due to their enormous collector value increase, so I decided to try to build from scratch a similar LP. I used mahogany scraps, Bubinga fret board that I traded flame maple for, and I bout an 8 foot long x 8" wide 4/4 flame maple board at a local hardwood lumber store ($45). After numerous ID10T errors, I managed to complete the guitar, making my own inlays, and Dremel router sled, and made many of my own tools to cut the binding channels. In a former life I was a bench jeweler, so I have pretty good quality tools, and skills. In honor of my Dad, who was a professional woodwinds man, I inlayed his stage name, "Greene" into a thin layer of cocobolo headstock overlay. He'd have been very proud of me, I am sure. The axe has many flaws, and discoveries, and I know the next one will be much better. I have slabs of really good mahogany, QS African for the neck, and killer Flame Maple for the top, ebony for the fretboard, and great hardware set aside. I learned a lot, especially how to fix too many mistakes to mention.

[@jonathancoleman5926]

So...I am extremely lucky and grateful (and a little embarrassed) about the story that surrounds my first guitar. I had a beast of a takamine 335bc that I gigged with for about ten years before I obliterated it in a fit of rage which I regret so very much...but...it sent me down a path I may have never traveled otherwise. I thought “ok, I’ll save the neck and build a box for it!” Well that didn’t work out but I did do a TON of online research and read a couple books and as I was purchasing wood to lay up a neck, the guy said “so there’s a local luthier, here’s his number, maybe he could help” Long story short...he took me in...I helped him build a beautiful handmade guitar out of BRW and cedar top. When I played the first chord on this guitar it was like the sound actually came out faster than any other guitar I’ve ever played...with plenty of sustain and crispy highs and overtones. I was hooked. He oversaw me as I made one in his shop (IRW with a Sitka top....and this guitar is one of the best guitars I’ve ever heard or played. It rings forever and projects amazingly. I’ve been gigging with her for over 10 years. I’m sure I got completely lucky with a first guitar like this one. My second is a box without a neck and is coming along nicely so we’ll see. Anyways, great videos. Love what you’re doing.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Sounds like something I would have done in a past life haha. I guess it lead you down the right path though. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@jonathancoleman5926]

Chris, where did you get your leather apron from?

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Garrett Wade. It’s the best apron I’ve ever owned

[@arnoldmmbb]

I would love to hear how it sounds if you put some tuners and set it up!!!

[@dominocweber9763]

My first and only guitar build was a ukulele for my daughter. It turned out ok but she loves it and i even enjoy playing it. I really want to build an acoustic guitar now.

[@robmoreau3272]

I'd like to tell you about my first guitar build. The only problem is that i haven't built it yet. In fact, I have never done any kind of woodworking to speak of, since woodworking class in high school. I'm in the field of sheet metal fabrication as my line of work, but I've always thought i would take it up as a hobby when i got older. Well, I'm older now and i think the time is now. I've been watching your videos, as well as other channels that feature guitar building as nothing more than entertainment, but this video has inspired me to drop the snips and pick up a wood plane. I will let you know how my journey progresses. Thanks Chris. Your work will set the bar for me.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

That’s so great to hear! I did Sheetmetal in the airforce for 8 years, so I came from the exact same background. I went from Cleco’s to wood clamps. You can do it too.

[@robmoreau3272]

@@DriftwoodGuitars Thanks for the response, and the encouragement. Rob

[@bpower6362]

Great video. First off.. My wife just asked if I'm watching the guy that was "crunching" and that other thing. he he he. Also. I have built one guitar so far. I went into it knowing it was going to have mistakes but also knowing it was my learner guitar. Saying that... it came out better than I expected and sounds good. I learned lots. I have just ordered what I need to my next guitar build, which I'm confident will come out better since I know what steps I need to pay more attention to. I am following Mark Bailey's guitar making site. It is an absolutely fantastic resource.

[@federicodelgado5951]

palo escrito yes., its a central america wood, very used in mexico building! im from argentina and i worked on a palo escrito guitar really nice wood! im a classical builder so im used to the way that you build this guitar!. and my first guitar also opened up the seem of the top jajaja!!!

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Glad I said it right. All I remember is that I was looking for a wood that had good reviews, and that wasn’t too expensive.

[@Today_I_Want_To]

Nice. Always good to known the "how". Regarding the books probably you can include the "a little expensive" Ervin Somogyi and Trevor books. Of course "expensive" is only the things that we don't use or are bad.

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

HAHA!!! I love your attitude. First guitar was a neck through with crazy low impedance transformer style pickups. I learned every lesson known to man, but it was worth every second. I'm sure my first acoustic will be a similar experience... The hats are pretty sharp!

[@EminentFront]

Hi Chris, my first guitar was a fender stratocaster. I though of starting with solid body instead of acoustic to learn. I bought the wood from a ton wood shop and ended up misusing every part. So I bought whole boards of alder and maple from a wood supplier, paid 100 Euros for wood that could make 6 guitars. Ruinsed a couple but ended up finishing my first electric guitar. Sounds and plays great. A lot of mistake made. Next guitar (also from the same boards) will be much better. I bought also 10 soundboard tops for 100€ and three sides for practicing and mahogany back and sides for the first guitar..

[@davidhurry1964]

i would love to try and build a guitar as im in repairing my dads guitar thats been through alot of neglect and some abuse but its slowly coming back around

[@waynebutler970]

Is there a plan you would recommend or one of yours. Great channel.

[@the_nondrive_side]

I love the inlays. I have the same on my TS-97C cedar top FXC from Takamine. I like that guitar for a first guitar. Mine was a winebox resonator with some octave strings in the middle.. Basically a staggered 6 string set. I got oak and maple strips from in between pallets of flooring and laminated the neck thru with gaps allowing for a pair of PBass pickups one in the neck position the other hidden under the dog bowl I used as a resonator.. Which also has a Piezo crystal. It's got a pointy Jackson like headstock and it's nasty to play using 1.6mm brass fretwire. String spacing is its biggest downfall.. I used Superglue in a few places like the neck joint because it was very much a risky design. It's stable and stays in tune just fine.. Three years in now I still play slide with it. My second was a neckthru bass using more of the same strips plus a 12mm thick piece of Pagoda as a fingerboard.. Which extended to a 30th fret area.. Fretless... A hybrid between a P bass and fodera and a Jazz bass neck.. But with a upright bass style headstock... I used SPF lumber as the body and outer laminated strips of the neck. SPF/oak/MAPLE/oak/SPF.. And all the SPF is shou sugi ban with TruOil.. The oak and pagoda EBONIZED with steel-vinegar. Unfortunately I abandoned it NYE being evicted and forced camping to VDay I just had no room to take with me. When I went back for it. It was gone.

[@philbrown102]

I have had 3 guitars made about out of Palo Escrito (sometimes called Mexican Rosewood) and they were all great sounding instruments. I don't like the colour, but it sounds like Koa to me. I would like to get one built one day by hand out of Palo Escristo.

[@Aurelian76]

Watching this video is MY epiphany moment...I had my first guitar in the late 80s - always fascinated about the building process. Was very nice knowing how you started and showing us your first guitar you made. I just told my wife the same thing you told your wife: honey, I am going to start building guitars...so I wanna start like you Chris and build beautiful guitars, a piece of my soul in each of them. I looked at all the Kits but they are all "Currently unavailable". Do you know why? Out of stock on all kits from the links? Cheers and positive vibes from Toronto.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

That’s so amazing to hear! Go do it and you’ll never regret it! I hadn’t noticed them as all gone. Go to the LMI website and they have a feature where you build your own kit, using the woods they have available! Good luck!

[@larscw74]

I haven't built my first, the plan has been to make the first from a plan and then modify as I want to build multiscale instruments and I want to build 7 and 8 string so most likely would have to go with carbon fiber rods in the neck for extra strength.

[@ericcarpenter3263]

Live that you shared this. Quick little question. I’m sure it’s on a point by point basis but what are your thoughts on luthier school? After working on aircraft electronics and having 3 kids I don’t know that I would have the time for it, but it sounds kinda fun. Thanks and really love all the videos, the channel is totally blowing up, and it’s so awesome to see.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

I know several people that have gone to schools and learned a lot. I will say that it seems like it’s a good step, but some apprenticeship is needed after to really learn that practical skills needed to make a quality guitar on your own still.

[@sigfreed11]

@@DriftwoodGuitars one day maybe you will have an in person acoustic/electric workshop you can sell and educate all of us rookies.

[@pwhite102]

I did a refinish on my Squier Jazz Bass (2004/2005 stamps on the inside so the neck is nice has nice wood). It turned out decent but I had to respray it multiple times. It was metallic and right at the end I had to widen the bridge pickup route and I used masking tape around it to keep it from chipping out but when I pulled off the tape it took off some clear coat too. Bummer but it's otherwise nice looking and sounding. I also sanded the back of the neck a bit. A little reshaping to make it less circular near the 1st-5th frets and it feels good, but maybe a little blotchy in appearance. I have a Jazzmaster build lined up too. Body came painted and the neck is roasted maple so I'm more concern with fitting the parts together since the pieces come from everywhere

[@bluesingmusic3443]

I've played & owned almost any bargain brand you can name. Kay, Harmony, Egmunds (Bought 2 new for $10 from Woolco when I was in HS). Looks really don't matter, how it plays & sounds is all that REALLY matters. (Of course a beautiful guitar that sounds great is a real treat.) I remember I bought a used Fender F-15 for $50 back in my mid 20s. It actually sounded great. But I was in heaven (talking acoustics now). I've got an old beater I bought for $100, it sucked, until I did a little work on it, cut the nut properly, levelled crowned the frets, set the action, etc. The guitar came to life, sounds great, no resale value, the Pawn shop won't even give $20 for a pawn. I'm not a builder, but I do repair them. Played for 50 yrs, have owned lots of dogs, but a couple of great sounding acoustics. Electrics are a different story, owned lots of Knock Offs,Have owned Strats, LPs,finally bought a Telecaster (My dream machine). I've had her 30 yrs. Got that plus my 335 copy (once I set it up correctly, but slots, etc, it sounds decent, the pups aren't the greatest. I do enjoy watching you build your guitars, they turn out beautiful. Would've loved to have heard you play that 1st guitar. She's been neglected, but I think a little TLC would bring it back. Not much work to do. Would've loved to have heard you play it. Keep on going, you're doing great. Did you put the "Spanish Slipper" on the neck?

[@kdthorne]

First guitar fail - I placed binding on the finger board, but cut the fingerboard to the correct final dimensions, then bound it. Result - super thick and chunky fingerboard. Always makes me feel like I have super small hands. I never went back and fixed it and now I look at it like you look at yours, as a time capsule of what I didn’t know.

[@grkuntzmd]

I built a tenor ukulele from a Stewmac kit. I was quite proud of how it came out, but when I later got a high-end Kala Elite tenor and compared the sound, the Kala is WAY BETTER. I don't play the one I built very often, but it hangs in a place of pride on the wall.

[@chogumchonsa]

I was a Dog Handler/Trainer in the Air Force 95-2005. The best year's ever!

[@waynechase4595]

I built my first guitar from this same book. I’ve made 7 in all so far.. None perfect but they play well. Just good fun!

[@paraviolence]

Just built my first electric. I'm building an acoustic next and I was wondering if you could recommend a good book about bracing? thanks for the video and thanks for your service.

[@neilstoddart00001]

finished my first in '92. fretboard was made from boxwood (Buxus) , normally grown as hedges, it was just wide enough to use as a fretboard, beautiful creamy yellow hardwood that was from an old walled garden where i lived. Unfortunately the guitar was stolen from my workshop a few years later, i was working with homeless/ drug abusers/ ex cons (what do you expect, huh), but i don't mind so much. It was the making that was important, the challenge to make. Now i find myself drawn back to this area of making, got a new bench in my latest workshop, think i need a project....

[@raytristani]

He k I’d buy the dirt and the hat! I can send you a Tristani Guitars shirt too! 🤘

[@anthonymorales842]

From working on allot of "cheap" instruments is very rewarding. Haven't built one yet though

[@ranman58635]

I realized why these guitar's are so expensive. Was looking at tonewood at stew mac yesterday. Wow! Its beautiful

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Yeah I’m building a guitar right now that has over $3,000 worth of wood in it alone! That’s just the wood!

[@ranman58635]

@@DriftwoodGuitars , Yo! It better sound like a symphony! Lol

[@zapa1pnt]

Especially, right now, since wood prices, for Any kind of wood, have skyrocketed. Will it ever come down??? I, sure as Hell, hope so!

[@dunhamchris]

What a cool guy - I’m gonna build a guitar - not tomorrow but give me time

[@cvrfkoh]

Lovely Video guys...Although I had to laugh at "Don't buy expensive woods for your first build" because that was exactly my first of many mistakes. It was an OM with a lovely redwood top on IER back and sides. Thing is...I built exactly according to the StewMac plans designed for a spruce top. Only afterwards did I learn that it is better to keep a redwood top a little thicker....and didnt know squat about voicing. However... All in all it turned out to be a 100% functional instrument after all errors made...even it ended up sounding a little thin and honky. I ended up filling it with PUPs and it became an excellent gigging guitar. (Not so much in the studio though) :)

[@Theonlyshaun]

Awesome story. How long were you in the Air Force? I joined the Navy (of the Australian variety) the day before 9-11. And still in today!

[@mirkosrndovic]

Chris, Matt, you two should write a book about guitar building, it would be a bestseller on this topic.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Maybe one day!

[@HandToolWoodGuy]

I have been binge watchatching your videos and have just completed my first acoustic guitar. If you do not look at it too closely it looks pretty good. But on close inspection you can see some pretty bad mistakes that I made. Having said all of that, I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. It sounds pretty good it plays really good. I got that dreaded ski lift at the body joint. And the bridge slipped a little bit so the intonation is not perfect but I'm happy with it. In the spring when I have time I will take the bridge loose and relocate it to its proper place. And also remove the frets starting at the body joint, and level that area out to where the guitar is playable past the 14th fret. That is assuming that the guitar holds up until spring rolls around. I've had it strong up for a couple of days and it is not moving, but I made the top very thin, around .85 in the area behind the bridge. And braces are very light as well. I can already see a little stinking point in front of the bridge between the bridge and the sound hole. But it's not getting any bigger yet. But I would not trade the experience for almost anything in the world, and I would heavily and hardly second your suggestion to go ahead and build do it if you're thinking about doing it you will not be sorry. Thank you for all the videos.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Congratulations! There’s nothing like your first build. Warts and all.

[@HandToolWoodGuy]

@@DriftwoodGuitars I have built several electrics, and a couple of basses. So I am not new to building guitars, but that being said there's a world of difference between building an acoustic and building an electric. I look forward to my next acoustic. And to your next video.

[@TheMidnightModder]

Man, I wish you had put some hardware on and played it! I would have loved to hear the sound!

[@matthewbleeker4580]

YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN BOOK

[@hartshut]

I used that same book to build my first guitar. I figured it was going to suck. So I bought all the wood from Home Depot and everything else from StewMac. It looks good, plays great, and sounds like a first guitar build. Should have bought good wood.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

This first guitar probably wasn’t as bad as I make it out to be, it just wasn’t exactly what I pictured in my head.

[@zapa1pnt]

@@DriftwoodGuitars It, actually, looks pretty good.It may not sound that way, but, of course, I haven't heard it. However, as you mentioned, you took a long first step and advise against it. I think Hartshut has the right angle.