Guitar Plans

An Overview of Guitar Plans:

We probably have a plan for you if you are interested in constructing a classical guitar or an acoustic guitar. As we add plans to our library of plans all the time, you will notice the variety of guitar plans will likely include a guitar that is just what you were looking for.

David is our designer and implementation expert for all of our guitar plans. He has been involved with teaching, building and repair of guitars for over 40 years and has developed plans that meet and exceed the need of the guitar maker.

These Guitar Plans Based In Architecture:

David is also a registered architect and has owned and headed his architectural firm since 1982. His experience has touched many distinctive areas including elaborate home designs to award-winning Fortune 500 commercial architecture.

His vast experience with architecture is rooted in well-defined CAD development and he has led the industry since he decided to take the plunge into total electronic documentation in 1988. He has put on seminars and taught classes on the efficiencies of utilizing CAD and his plans have been held in the highest regard.

Now he has decided to merge his two notable loves of CAD and music to develop well-documented, well designed, and very thorough guitar plans. These well-documented plans are full-sized and full of detail that will give you a tool to properly make an outstanding handmade guitar.

Documenting and designing a guitar is not all that different than a home, commercial building or furniture. It just is a procedure of transferring what you see in your mind to paper.

Specialized Tools That Are Compulsory:

Also in order to make the guitar making process as smooth and precise as possible, David has decided to make many of his own specialized tools that he uses in the making process available in plan form as well.

Therefore you will notice plans documenting the bending process, guitar forms, work boards, gluing jigs and many other assorted gadgets that will assist you in your guitar constructing aspirations.

The Future of Guitar Plans:

For now, the plans have mainly focused on the acoustic guitar and classical guitar markets, along with the forms, tools and jigs that accessorize them. 

There are plans to expand into the electric guitar market and other instruments such as ukulele, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, violin and other stringed instruments.

About Our Acoustic Guitar Plans:

Each set contains 4 detail sheets of information consisting of:

• Bracing Notes and Layout, Main Guitar Plan Layout, constructing Notes and Details.
• Cross Sections Through the Guitar, Both Lateral and Longitudinal, Neck Sections and Neck Joint Details.
• Layout of Backplate, Back Bracing Layouts.
• Top Plate Bracing Layouts, Top and Side Views, Bridge Template

Here is a sampling of plans that are available:

Dreadnought Guitar Plans

The Dreadnought is one of the original steel string designs. It was first developed by the C.F. Martin Guitar Co. in 1931. It was named after a large class of British Battle ships from World War One. This is the premium guitar that is used for flatpicking.

Body Type: Dreadnought (sim to Martin D-28), Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.3" x 15.6" x 4.75", Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4".

The 000 Concert - Parlor Guitar

This plan is similar to the Martin 000 concert guitar and is a smaller bodied, ver well balanced guitar.

Body Type: 000 (Similar to Martin 000 Parlor), Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to body 21 total, Body Dimensions: 18.875" x 14.22" x 4.125", Bracing: Traditional X.

J45 True Vintage:

With the popularity of the Dreadnought by Martin, this was the Gibson response to that guitar. This guitar is additionally know as the 'round-shouldered' dreadnought because of the subtle rounded shape of the lower bout to the body shape.

Body Type: Round-Shouldered Acoustic, Bracing:Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Traditional X (Scalloped Bracing Alternate), Body Dimensions: 20.187" x 16.09" x 4.85".

The Grand Auditorium Guitar:

This plan is very similar to the very popular Taylor Grand Auditorium designed guitar. The Martin J series is very close to these specifications as well. The voice of these big guitars can be additionally enhances by tonewood decisions and augmentation of the top bracing.

Body Type: Grand Auditorium Grand J, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 19.78" x 16.09" x 4.85", Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4".

The Jumbo Guitar

This is the granddaddy of all guitars as it is about the biggest body you will find. This popular guitar shape is marketed by Gibson, Martin, Taylor and others. The J200 by Gibson is definitely the star of the show though. Again, the tone can be greatly colored by wood selection from warm with a Walnut to loud and bright with the Rosewoods.

Body Type: Jumbo, Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.95" x 17.05" x 5.2", Bracing: Traditional X.

Some Additional Acoustic Plans:

• 000-28VS
• Jumbo 12 String
• Grand Auditorium 12 String
• HD-28VS

Classical Guitar Plans:

Antonio De Torres developed the concert sized classical guitar in the 1850's. 

These guitar plans and virtually all classical guitars utilize this same size planform. 

Each of the four available top bracing patterns has its own distinctive tonal and volume coloration. 

The patterns available are:

• Bouchet Bracing
• Kasha Schneider Bracing
• Classic Torres Bracing
• Ramirez Bracing.