I Built a Guitar Out of Plywood // Great Guitar Build-Off 2020 Unofficial Entry

[@thisgoestoeleven]

I'm a full time public school music teacher and part time woodworker, and I love to see kids digging into not only woodworking, but film, music production, and content creation. Keep it up!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much Thomas, keep doing what you're doing, the world needs more music teachers!

[@GunsandGuitars]

What a clever idea. Well done man! Even better cinematography. The guitar building world needs more videos like this

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. That is good to hear because I will be doing more guitar builds in the future

[@matthewjohnloren1995]

Eyyyy its dan!

[@joekazadi1252]

A Guns and guitar co-sign is the best co-sign. Hey, Dan!

[@clarkbabin9799]

I love what you did with that bass. Was an original idea in my book. Would love to see what you do with a bamboo and other woods stained or natural colors that offset each other but look great as t together.

[@billbergen9169]

Hi Dan

[@timsway]

This is one of my favorite guitar build videos to date.

[@jamesdewald339]

^and this man knows guitar builds

[@DeddycationMusic]

Cz you recommend it, so I'm here. And thanks sir, it's a nice guitar build tho

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much Tim, also thank you for all the help, your guitar kits are truly awesome ;)

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you! Tim is a legend

[@cyb3r3vil30]

Turned out Great Looks really good Tim is a amazing Guy TFS Enjoyed!

[@BurlsArt]

Sweet axe dude!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Oh my gosh dude!!! I've watched all of your videos, and they're what inspired me to do this build! Thank you so much for the comment it means alot 🙏

[@Rex-golf_player810]

@@Weweweweewewewewewwwe lol wat

[@HensleyDon]

I spent 50 years in the furniture industry and I have to compliment you on not only you original and beautiful built but your safety in using woodworking tools. I've seen way too many unnecessary injuries over the years, both from poor habits and from operators too intimidated to stand up to the unsafe procedures of their employers. Congrats on a sweet build!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you Don, I really appreciate it! I am very serious about safety seeing as I'm starting at a young age!

[@MrTopcatcharlie]

This is THE nicest plywood guitar i have ever seen. SSS-style points

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much! That is good to hear :)

[@MrTopcatcharlie]

@@MakeWithMiles honestly dude, not just blowing smoke.. when I saw this it had the same effect on me when I saw a Gibson Zoot suit.. look forward to seeing more my man

[@JeighNeither]

You mean HSS Style,

[@flux5836]

That's HH configuration

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

beautiful work dude, very well done! B

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much! Thanks for putting on the challenge, I had a great time participating.

[@thelombaxsystemtv7492]

Hey, Crimson! You make the sickest of guitars!!!!!

[@ClumsyFlounder]

He didn't even intonate the fucking thing

[@yazman4040]

Dang, look at this young upstart. Young dude going to be giving all these old folks a run for their money, that's for sure. Great work my dude.

[@kublai7123]

Great design, a really cool look. You should make a matching amp cabinet.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you Linus, an amp cabinet is definitely on my list!

[@codyrobichaudofficial]

The crazy thing about this build is how little appreciation plywood gets for guitars. I have a very old guitar made from plywood (I bought secondhand) and the sound is incredible, but when thinking about guitars, plywood is always the last choice, but if you throw some really good humbuckers into a plywood build, you get a really heavy, high output and aggressive sound with a thinner wood creating a great mid point on sound. Great video and exceptional build!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Check out my new Guitar Build: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2bVkIN7Z7StpK8

[@outside_edition]

Send me the guitar plz... Love it 😍😍

[@jimvandemoter6961]

Very impressive job. I'm impressed to see someone so young with the patience and dedication to take on such a project. I'm 68 years old and have been playing since 1961. I don't have access to the machines you have, so when it came time for me to assemble my guitar I used all Warmoth parts. This was well over 18 years ago I started with a standard Strat style body and quarter sawn standard profile pre-CBS style Strat neck with the smallest frets they offered, 1 5/8 nut, 21 frets rosewood fretboard, headstock adjustable truss rod and drilled for Sperzel locking tuners. I used DiMarzio pickups, vintage style single coil for the neck and middle and an Air Norton S for the bridge. I used a standard Fender '62 style tremolo bridge. Again, great job.

[@Snakerjaker]

Bro, I literally have a *degree* in lutherie - and I don't think I could make an instrument this clean and with this much imagination. Well done. You've earned my subscription!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Dude, that is reassuring! Thank you so much, i've been getting alot of comments telling me how to do it the 'right way' ;) Thanks for the sub, it's much appreciated

[@larrywhalen127]

@@MakeWithMiles I do believe Your way was The Right way, and I'm pretty sure a picture of your guitar is next to the phrase, "The Right Way", in Webster's Dictionary.

[@jonathanmonroy10]

damn u probs shouldn't be luthier then

[@the_nautillus9176]

I have a personal vendetta with luthiers, but you seem cool, so i won't offend you.

[@daro9582]

@@jonathanmonroy10 I think he meant that he perhaps wouldn’t have come up with this concept and this material can in some circumstances be a real sob to work with

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Looking great Miles!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Oh dude!!! What a compliment coming from you guys :) it means alot!

[@wf2243]

This is honestly nicer than some of the official builds. Great job!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Oh, haha ;) thanks!

[@SampleAndrew]

Ya. Like infinite times better than Diresta's "attempt".

[@pvdguitars2951]

Really well done young man. This is perfection! Love the whole concept, the Les Paul junior with the Ibanez style make neck. The wood design of the body is just beautiful. Definitely one of my favorites of this competition. I think Tim will agree that you have a bright future as a master builder! Stay safe and good luck!!!!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much, it really means a lot!!

[@multilecful]

Well done young man, you must be very pleased with the outcome, it looks wonderful and must fill you full of pride when you play it.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thanks Nigel! I was surprised it turned out so well

[@markpell8979]

As an old lifelong woodworker and guitar player it makes me happy to see a young person with skill and desire, doing such a good job on a unique idea for an instrument. Many blessings on you in the future!

[@lkendrix7782]

That is one of the most beautiful guitars 🎸 I’ve ever seen! Using plywood to create the herringbone pattern is genius!

[@larrywhalen127]

This is by far, one of THE BEST videos I have ever seen, Anywhere, it was well presented and narrated, and I appreciated that you adhered to proper safety proceedures. I built a guitar similar to yours about fifty years ago which ended up on a good friend's wall as wall decor instead, but with mine I used 'burled wood' over 1 1/4" hardwood, while the neck, head, and tuning machine were donated by my Woodshop teacher, as well as everything else from another friend's stripped guitars. Wish I still had it, because it actually came out better than I ever hoped for, but since I just bought a few new tools for woodworking, I'm looking forward to building something similar to yours, but in Obsidion Black and Gold Leaf, with mucho clear urethane to protect the finish. Thank you for sharing your expertise and excellent Craftsmanship.

[@WorksbySolo]

Hey Miles! I finally had time to watch your full guitar build. Super nice job! I've been thinking about building one of Tim's kits for a while. You did a great job of showing great his kits are to build.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Hey Bernie, thank you for watching the video. Tim's kits are awesome, and I'd love to see what you come up with if you get one!

[@magnusliamkarlsson6465]

Thanks for the inspiration! I just finished my first guitar build! I used plywood but let the stripes run straight instead of a fishbone parterna! I was really happy with the result!

[@Woodbrew]

There are currently only 7 likes on this video.... unacceptable. Everyone go smash that like button👊🏼💥💥💥

[@MakeWithMiles]

Haha, that's awesome guys! Thanks for the comment, I really love watching your videos

[@JC-11111]

There are now 428 likes. Better? 😎👍

[@ZaneDalton]

1.1K now

[@docnova]

Done! Let’s boost my boys engagement!

[@j_freed]

Anything with this much excellent work and attention deserves a few million views and likes. But we're likely all geeks here...

[@Gatsu1Berserk]

Who ever said you cant build a guitar with plywood...?!? Damns, i would totally buy this epic piece of masterfull craftmanship. Love it.

[@ChickenChunks]

Been a fan for a while after being introduced to your channel by your boat vid. I immediately subscribed as we are around the same age and i love woodworking and all that jazz. Ive recently been wanting to make my own guitar so this video was perfect timing. Thank you bro. Keep up the great work.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much, it means alot!

[@ChickenChunks]

Thank you man. You makin some great content. Gotta appreciate what you’re doin man. Stay with it

[@fnersch3367]

Your woodworking skills and equipment are impressive. I've spent the last 60 years making instruments (organs, harpsichords, guitars,etc.) with few hand tools and minimal skills.

[@DamianMellor]

I'm not a guitarist or maker, but I found this in my recommendations and subscribed immediately! Amazing work my friend. You have a real talent for making, filming, editing and producing great content. I wish you well. Greetings from a fellow musician, 'across the pond' here in the UK. ;)

[@drummar_boy]

I love how people argue about tone woods on electric guitars, and here you are making an excellent piece with *plywood.* Well done!

[@r613-v7y]

I like to show this to people who argue tonewoods. LOL kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnXcq3R4l62We7s

[@charlotteice5704]

Loving the Makers Love Equality shirt just as much as the build!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Haha, I love that shirt, thanks!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Nice carpentry bench saws & planer & other great machines --makes it much easier !

[@grateful4068]

Great Build. Love that you did that wonderful pattern. Great planning, great execution. I was worried about a lot of blowouts when the router came out during the pickup cavities and neck pocket, but it really turned out well. I would love to see an update in the future as to whether the hardware stays put. Particularly the bridge. The drilling into the grain makes me wonder about long term stability. I liked and subscribed because of this video! I also pinned it on Pinterest and shared it around. Great work!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much! I will do an update if anything breaks, but the screws are pretty long so I'm not too worried. Thanks for the sub and the pin on Pinterest, things like that really help the channel ;)

[@darkkittenlightpuppy8802]

I was just thinking about doing this exact thing about 2 days ago had no idea if anyone ever done it before and youtube puts it in my recommend I swear to the Gods they can read minds with technology I never said anything about this out loud ever however you done fantastic work thank you now I know that I really want to do this myself

[@willland1243]

Miles, this is my first time watching your show and man you blew me away! This Guitar is superb! the way you got the lines in the wood in a pattern just makes the guitar look excellent so finished. If i was in a music shop and saw that guitar. it would be mine; and you play great too. was that your music playing in the video? I would like to have it. Your video was very entertaining too, I couldn't stop watching it. Awesome my friend!!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Oh, wow! Thank you, I didn't realize people would like it so well. Haha, the only time I'm playing is the very beginning and the very end, so maybe not as impressive as you thought ;)

[@xdoctorblindx]

The production quality on this video is unreal. Cool guitar, too!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you , it means alot :)

[@leadsolo2751]

Beyond words ... that's like among the most beautiful anything I've ever seen

[@VaughnCordero]

So did everybody just get this recommended?

[@grahamserle7930]

Well done Miles. I'm a woodworker/ musician and don't play guitar but I loved watching your build. Awesome job and implementation of your woodworking skills.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you very much!

[@Emily_M81]

Pretty sweet, and now you have the pride of owning something no one else has that you made yourself. Well done!

[@beyondthis7]

I am once again impressed with your video and your project young man. I have been playing guitar since I was 5, and I'm now 65. ... Being a boat building enthusiast I was impressed by your row boat video as well. You seem to have a good balance of length of time used to display what you've done, accompanied with a reasonable discourse, and enough attention to detail to come out with a pretty decent finished product. Continue in this vein, because you have a knack for it, and there's so much you could accomplish, and likely profit from. Looking forward to your next venture.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment Phil, it really means alot!

[@Ryedor]

1 sheet of plywood + $50,000.00 worth of power tools + a cool imagination + good skill levels = a most excellent axe. Love it !

[@ledagain6722]

A table saw, junk band saw, a router with homemade jigs and an orbital sander? $50K ? Are you well or just a little cranky?

[@vivoslibertos]

I always love plywood body guitar, the mid sound is so good and crunchy.

[@edition-deluxe]

I've been building tons of stuff with patterned plywood, since I live next to a cabinet shop that gives away mountains of off cuts, but an electric guitar is by far the coolest idea I've ever seen--nice work! Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to build one too now--don't worry about a copycat, i'll use a different pattern.

[@Jesse-xi5tf]

Its got that unique vibe. You could put any color finish on it and it would look awsome.

[@Trayton]

Awesome work my guy! I kinda wanna make a herringbone plywood guitar now lol. One thing though, if you're gonna use foil tape in the electronics cavity, there are a few rules of thumb. Generally the purpose of doing this is to make a faraday cage to block out radio interference. To do this, the entire box, or as much as possible, must be covered by the foil, and that means to cavity cover as well. Also, the cavity cover and the cavity itself should have electrical continuity, ie the foil of each piece touching to make a solid connection. Moreover, cavity foil is made with special electrically conductive adhesives. Standard foil ducting tape is not, and is usually soldered between strips to maintain continuity. You're the man! Keep it up! Also, kudos on the magnetic cavity cover idea! That's a game changer lol!

[@peternielsen8723]

Made me think of them oldschool feathered floorboard patterns.

[@TheRockinDonkey]

That looks awesome. Very well done. I especially liked the use of the magnets to hold the electronics cover on the guitar.

[@lundsweden]

Awesome guitar, you even made the holes fir the pickups abd emectrinics without a router! 🎸

[@jukeboxzero4373]

Miles this is fantastic! I love the herringbone pattern, its well matched and pleasing to the eye. Well done sir!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Many thanks!

[@jasonm4982]

Looks great and the rear cover detail was inspired, never would have thought of magnets

[@MakeWithMiles]

Glad you liked it!

[@gastank43]

Been working on my own guitars the whole day. mostly sanding by hand. It's now 4 AM, but this worth staying up for! Beautiful instrument and awesome cinematography.

[@Beemerboy324]

The tape and CA glue is a neat trick.

[@Zolbat]

Absolutely gorgeous. My favourite guitar from the build off

[@MakeWithMiles]

Wow, thank you!

[@robertruamps5680]

Very good looking and sounding this plywood Less-Caster!!

[@IsaacRossMusic1]

your channel must be really good seeing all of the KZbin guitar builders are really liking your content!

[@Dreamdancer11]

Slow clap for this young man....Excellent build by any standards....

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much!

[@gabrielnoriega584]

Great, fantastic. So young and glorious talent. Congrats. Keep rocking

[@jonathanmonroy10]

strat neck on a LP body is actually a sick look

[@pierremadrenas1966]

Holy smokes kid! You rock! Keep at it, very original and skilled work right here!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you very much!

[@jmill6449]

Holmes that's a twisted sick sixer. Sinister twisted sick!!

[@MrIbanez87]

Super efficient use of wood. Awesome job man

[@MrDgeece]

Yes sometimes we can find pieces of wood sinked between 2 lakes of glue...it's more a glue guitar than a wooden guitar...but it's a great job, , nice idea, and well presented

[@balto4516]

For better polish with spray finish, make some sanding between layers and at the end use windows cleaner. the substance is more abrasive than furniture cleaner and that's why it get better glossy finish. try it with scrap wood and you're gonna get amaze

[@MakeWithMiles]

The finish I used is catalyzed so it's pot life is 48 hours, which means your unable to sand between coats-- not enough time

[@fenderstratguy]

The magnetic cover was a sweet touch

[@onkelpool]

Great job! I really like these humbuckers with their balanced sound! I am very happy with these tuners, I have not experienced instability in 15 years! And I don't tolerate a specific hardtail construction at all! The two affordable guitars have had to be replaced with an identical-looking strings-thru-body variant. In this variant, over time the string starts to extremely disgusting buzz against the saddle.

[@aliamichelle_]

I just cant!! Absolutely beautiful!

[@cassidymccurdy805]

Wow this is so incredible! Love watching this!

[@glenkersul8536]

A guitar that AWESOME deserves killer knobs. IDK what kind, but I trust your judgement. Fantastic work sir!!!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Haha thank you! I am definitely going to replace them with some custom ones.

[@yourcarsalesman9266]

That is a very beautiful body and clever idea

[@carloko08]

amazing, dude, you always doing super cool things, you are a great luthier, i suscribe now 😃😉

[@superdupergaming7831]

Good shit dude! One of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen!

[@XavierPil]

and of course you compose great music as well!! You’re awesome! Keep it up

[@zezaekrael]

You have made plys of plys of plywood! The end result being a beautiful looking finished product.

[@timgermanyjr]

Looks really nice although I probably would have stained it black. Black stain on ply end grain gives a really cool effect.

[@larrydering1598]

Excellent build and perfect narration. Video quality is fantastic. You rock.

[@theRandy712]

Beautiful result and I love the matched pickups, great choice

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you!!

[@aipsong]

Excellent build and video/soundtrack - bravo!! Plywood can look like agates when used in an artistic way - you have a great future - savor it.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so mvuh!

[@aipsong]

@@MakeWithMiles You deserve it - a big thumbs up - keep up the good work.

[@bishlap]

the herringbone was fantastic.

[@roadshowautosports]

A lot of work but, look wise, awesome. You should make a sound check without any effects to it, I’d love to hear how the resonance is on this guitar. I thought of doing one before but, not being able to compare it to anything else, I decided to wait for someone else having the experience before me. Thanks for the video!

[@stephensmith4480]

Well done. You are one Talented young man, that was superb.

[@benjaminfowler4513]

Very nice. Good job dude

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@rebelScience]

So many amazingly talented people out there! Building, creating, collaborating, making the world a better place. 👍 amazingly guitar 🎸

[@nicholasoutland2396]

Smooth as butter! Well made, and what a wonderful sound!

[@richsackett3423]

You might think about doing relief cuts into the curves when shaping the blank with the bandsaw. I do love the gluing the tape trick tho.

[@marcoszambrano7287]

One of the most beautiful DIY guitars I've seen so far, it's neat and elegant and looks so well done. Love the magnets idea for the electronics cover.

[@HansyPants184]

Holy frick this is amazing! Great concept! Fantastic execution! As a carpenter of 10 years, finger amputee, and someone who just finished their safety officer training I have a couple things to say as well. 1) I'm gonna need a link to that shirt. 2) I adored your ingenuity and using familiar parts that anyone can find at a hardware store over bespoke hardware and tools. You have the potential to be the future of this craft. Take the torch and burn the place down!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Dude, thank you so much! This comment made my day! I can't find a link to the shirt, I got if from a maker space in Portland called ADX, I'm not sure if they sell it online anymore Anyways, thanks for the comment!

[@ChicagoRob2]

A very smart and talented young man.

[@jasonnn2284]

Easily one of the most worthwhile building videos on this website, nice work.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Wow, thanks!

[@DawImmigration]

Love the magnets for the cavity cover, totally stealing that idea for my next guitar!

[@MakeWithMiles]

You should! thank you!

[@gregbowman9586]

Beautiful guitar and beautiful video. You got skills...lots of them! Nice work!!!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you very much!

[@gregoryprusak8378]

As we say in NYC what's not to like? Superb build! Make more! I like to watch talented people work....

[@greatreset3]

Great to see a young person with such mechanical skills. You are destined to go far! 🎸🎶

[@MakeWithMiles]

Wow, thank you!

[@kellymckenzie4865]

Love your stuff. Nice nodd to Laura wearing that shirt.

[@nswhorse]

Nice work. Cool looking guitar, and the final product looks professionally made.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thanks a lot!

[@gavinlocke2301]

Amazing great build. One of the best looking guitars I've seen. Great idea You got talent!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you very much

[@ConstrutorMusical]

Nice work, Man!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@blackbearbuilds3104]

Honestly gonna try the plywood pattern idea, I’m a knife maker and I’ve been looking for cool handle ideas

[@randynovick7972]

Nice work, Miles. Looks like it was fun to make and IS fun to play. Good on ye.

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much Randy!

[@Br4dButt0wski]

The editing is so beautiful that almost looks like a pro movie. It makes it so interesting!!!

[@MakeWithMiles]

Thank you so much! This comment means a lot, I really appreciate it because I put a lot of time into editing and it often goes unnoticed. Thanks for watching!

[@nl1318]

Give your dad a big ol hug dude.

[@maxstirner8717]

The Alder body really gives the notes that clean sustain and harmonic edge. The all maple neck and fretboard gives the strings that certain pop. Honestly, this tone wood setup is impressive.