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Building a guitar on your own, though it may seem daunting, is a very rewarding project that ends with a one-of-a-kind instrument. Even if you’re a new luthier, you can build your own guitar with some time, patience, and a few tools. Let’s look step-by-step on how to build your own guitar. We will be using an Allen Eden relic electric guitar kit which includes all the parts needed for the DIY project.
Kits include:
American alder body
3-ply cream pickup
Canadian maple neck
6-screw vibrato bridge
Trem arm
3 tension springs
Spring claw
2 springs
Neck plate
Strap buttons
Output jack with recess plate
6 Kluson-style tuners
Bushings
String trees
Back plate
Screws (all needed)
Strings
Instrument cable
Tools needed
Electric drill and drill bits
Phillips screwdriver
Hammer
Nose pliers
Aviation snips
Marrying the neck
Installing the pickguard
Setting up the holding screws and output jack
Installing your strap button
Installing the springs into the back plate
Installing the bushings and tuners
You’ve decided to build a guitar, but you’re struggling to find all of the pieces you need. That’s where a guitar kit comes in handy! Guitar kits are typically all-in-one packages that include everything you need to build a guitar. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of starting with a guitar kit so that you can decide if it’s right for you.
Pros
Cons
Welcome back! Now that you’ve milled the pickup cavity, let’s dive into installing the pickguard and electronics on your new bass. This process can take a bit of time, so make sure to take breaks and check your work throughout.
Tools needed
Getting the body ready
Installing the controls
Note: There are several combinations possible with these potentiometer options, but we will be explaining the Billy Sheehan Attitude system. This means we will keep the push/pull for the Neck tone as the high cut pass and the second push/pull as the Bridge master volume, but it starts in stereo and goes mono when the switch is engaged rather than the other way around.
Connecting the pickups to the controls
If you’re looking to upgrade your pickup or install one into a new base, it’s important to mill the pickup cavity correctly. Doing this incorrectly can prevent the pickup from fitting properly and therefore causing uneven magnetic pull from the pickup. Let’s go through how to mill a pickup completely freehand to get that exact fit you’re looking for.
Tools needed
Get the measurements
Preparing the body
Carving the pickup cavity
Once you’re done cleaning, take a break! You want to make sure you’re refreshed and ready to go before you work on the pickguard and control harness. Stay tuned for our final blog to complete the bass.
]]>Pedalboards are a great way to organize your effects pedals and keep your gear compact and portable. Pedalboards also allow for heavy customization, but that can make it difficult to start. Let’s look at the basics of setting up a pedalboard to fit your style.
Step 1: Picking the board
Are you just getting your feet wet with effects pedals, or are you a gear enthusiast looking to add more space for your collection? Every musician's pedalboard is tailored for their needs and musical styles, so make sure to consider what you’re using the pedals most for before choosing the board. If you use minimal effects in your rig, then it’s best to start with a smaller board.
Step 2: Picking the pedals
Once you’ve picked your board, it’s time to pick your pedals. There are tons of effects to choose from: wah, fuzz, octave, etc. You’ll want to choose based on the genre and sound you’re going for. If you’re just getting into effects pedals, we recommend starting out with a reverb, distortion, and overdrive pedal.
Step 3: Hooking things up
First, you will want to buy a power supply for your pedalboard. There are many different options, from compact battery-powered supplies to multi-voltage power blocks. Similar to the board itself, choose a power supply that fits your needs and your pedals’ voltage requirements.
Next, you will have to connect your pedals using patch cables. Patch cables allow you to place your pedals side-by-side by connecting the output of one right into the input of the other. This will help you maximize the space on your pedalboard. While connecting the pedals, make sure to consider the configuration of your board. We also recommend using velcro to keep the pedals steady on the board.
Finally, you will connect your pedalboard to your amp using a general instrument cable. Once your pedalboard is set up and connected, then jam away! If you’re shopping for pedals, check out Allen Eden’s line of effects pedals, all under $70!
Strings rattling against the frets and hurting the sound of your guitar or bass? Fret buzz is very frustrating, especially when it happens right after you unbox a new guitar. Let’s look at some ways to fix the fret buzz and get your instrument ready to rock:
Step 1: Getting the guitar ready
Step 2: Even out your frets
Step 3: Adjusting the nut
Fret buzz on your guitar or bass can be frustrating and cause an unwanted sound, but luckily if you have the right tools and follow these steps, it’s a pretty easy fix. To find the tools and parts you need, visit our website.
]]>Rewiring your electric guitar or bass can be one of the most difficult luthier projects to take on, but it’s a rewarding experience that teaches you much about guitar maintenance. Since the process can be a lot to learn at once, we’ve broken this lesson down into two parts. Let’s dive in.
Tools needed
Getting the guitar ready
Installing the pickup
Starting the wiring process
Being precise is vital when wiring your instrument, so take a break then look at the second part to the basics of wiring.
]]>Welcome back! Now that you double checked your work and took a break, let’s dive back into rewiring your electric guitar or bass. If you need a refresher, click here to go back to part one of this lesson.
Continuing the wiring process
Soldering the bridge ground wire to an available pot
Rewiring your guitar or bass can be a lengthy process, but successfully connecting your instrument is very rewarding and teaches you a lot about electric guitar maintenance. We have many of the supplies you’ll need for this process. Visit aeluthier.com for more!
]]>There are many advantages to making your own guitar nut, such as optimizing the sustain of notes for your playing habits. While there are some specific tools needed, shaping your own guitar nut is a fun, fulfilling task. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to shape your own:
Tools needed
Getting the nut ready
Shaping the nut
Finishing and polishing your nut
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]]>You don’t want your guitar to be off key or hard on the strings, right? Most guitars require a set-up to hit peak performance, so it’s important to know the right way to get this done. Allen Eden sets up your guitar for you so that it arrives ready to rock, but it’s a good skill to have to keep your instrument in top shape. Let’s look at each step needed to get your guitar all set up.
Polishing the guitar
Dialing in the setup
Adjust the string height action
Intonation
Unlike acoustic guitars that easily amplify sound, acoustic bass guitars struggle more to produce a high volume due to the lower frequencies. Luckily, electric bass guitars provide easy volume control while still keeping deep basslines. Let’s talk about what makes electric basses special and what bass is best for you.
The first electric bass guitar was invented in the 1930s by Paul Tutmarc. However, they didn’t start getting mass produced until the 1950s when Fender began producing precision basses (P-Bass for short). The Fender Bass revolutionized playing styles for touring bass players. Unlike the upright basses popular in the 40s, the electric bass was lightweight and easy to travel with. They also allowed for less unwanted feedback and easy tuning compared to upright basses and acoustic basses. The horizontal playing allowed for guitarists to more easily transition into bass players, furthering the popularity of the Fender electric bass. With electric basses becoming popular in many genres, Fender noticed the need for other options and released the Jazz bass, J-Bass for short, in 1960.
There are many differences between a J-Bass and a P-Bass. One of the main differences are the coil pickups and configuration: J-Basses feature two single-coil pickups, one close to the bridge and one in the P-Bass’s split coil pickup position. Another difference is the size of the neck: the J-Bass’s neck is narrower at the nut than the P-Bass, allowing for easy access to the lower strings and spacing that feels more like an electric guitar. The J-Bass also has a volume control for each pickup, giving you more control of its robust sound.
When choosing an electric bass, keep in mind the feel and control you’re looking to get. If you’re new to string instruments, a P-Bass may be easier to configure and learn. Precision basses also bring a more classic rock n’ roll sound, whereas Jazz basses allow for more volume and tone control with the double coils. Finally, look and feel are big factors to determine. A J-Bass is designed off of the Fender Jazzmaster, whereas P-Basses are based off of the Stratocaster. Keep all of these factors in mind when you’re shopping for your new electric bass.
As you can see, there are many perks of picking up an electric bass, from learning ease to robust sounds and easy travel. Take a look at our line of affordable, quality bass guitars here.]]>If you’re looking for a high end electric guitar that looks just as rad as it shreds, you can’t go wrong with the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay RS Electric Guitar. Based on the original 1970s design, the 2018 reboot of the StingRay RS features a premium maple neck, ebony fretboard, vintage spec electronics, and super smooth modern tremolo, offering a vibrant, bold tone with unparalleled playability and performance. The guitar body is made out of high quality African mahogany, keeping the instrument lightweight and sturdy. The asymmetrical neck allows for comfortable hand positions across all 22 frets, and the 5-bolt sculpted neck joint gives smooth access to the higher frets. Though the Music Man StingRay RS Electric Guitar is at a higher price point than other guitars we sell, the premium quality on this classic model is incomparable.
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]]>Buzzing strings ruining your sound? You may have some worn out frets to take care of. As the frets on your guitar start to wear, they often spread out slightly and become uneven, keeping your strings from sustaining the right notes. Instead of replacing the frets altogether, you can dress the frets and bring them back to level. Let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to dress your frets.
Tools needed
Filing the bevel
Leveling the frets
Crowning and polishing
Sometimes your pickup’s current weakens. Sometimes you want to tailor the tune to your needs. Whatever your reasoning is, swapping a pickup is easier than you may think. Let’s look at step-by-step instructions on how to change out your pickup:
Getting the guitar ready
Under the hood
Prepping the pickups
High voltage wiring
Reassembling the pickups
You’re shopping for guitars, but you’re struggling to find the best one to fit your needs. Some necks are too long, some bodies are too wide, and some just don’t produce the right sound. To combat this, you may want to consider building your own guitar. Let’s discuss some pros and cons of building a guitar to help you with your decision.
We will be closed this Thursday and Friday to let our staff safely spend time with their loved ones. All orders placed during Black Friday weekend will ship out first thing Monday morning. If you ordered a guitar that will need a set-up, it will ship Tuesday t the latest.
Happy Thanksgiving!
]]>Your guitar creates the sound, your amp heightens the volume of the sound, but what is used to change the sound? Effects pedals are pedals that you plug into your rig to manipulate your guitar’s sound. There are thousands of different effects pedals on the market, but let’s look at a few popular types of pedals and what they do to the sound.
Distortion Pedals
One of the most popular pedals for musicians is a distortion pedal. Essentially, distortion pedals take the signal that your guitar is sending off and distorts it, contrasting your guitar’s natural sound with volume and sustain. Listen to what our new Black Waves Distortion Effects Pedal can do to the sound in the video below.
Reverb Pedals
You know the echo you hear when a guitarist lets a note ring? That’s thanks to a Reverb pedal. Reverb pedals give your guitar a louder, stronger sound by holding an voluminous echo effect. One downside of reverb pedals is that their effect is often only suited for certain performance spaces. That’s why it’s important to get a reverb effects pedal with different settings, like our new Twilight Reverb Effects Pedal with six reverb settings.
Overdrive Pedals
Unlike distortion pedals which distort the signal, overdrive pedals amplify the guitar signal to create a heavier sound that highlights the natural sound of the guitar. However, since the pedal pushes the amp harder to strengthen the sound, this pedal is best compatible with tube amps. Check out the video below of our new Siren Overdrive Effects Pedal to hear what an overdrive pedal can do.
Delay Pedals
Like the name suggests, delay pedals take signal that enters through the input and delays it, creating a ripple effect in the sound. There are two types of delay pedals: analog and digital. Digital delay effects pedals offer a longer delay and a more accurate signal output, but some musicians prefer analog due to the subtle nuances you can get in the sound from not fully matching the input signal. However, some digital delay pedals, such as the new Allen Eden Soulmate Digital Delay Effects Pedal, include a toggle feature that mimics the imperfections of an analog pedal.
Fuzz Pedals
Fuzz effects pedals, which can hook up to guitars, basses, and keyboards, create extremely strong distortion effects that most distortion pedals can’t achieve. The static “fuzz” that comes from these pedals varies heavily on the pedal and setting that you choose. We can try to explain it, but it’s easier to hear for yourself. Take a look at the demo of our new Albatross Fuzz Effects Pedal to hear what these pedals can do.
Chorus Pedals
As you may have guessed from the name, chorus effects pedals could make your guitar sound like 10 different guitars playing at once. This sound is very popular in grunge and other alt rock subgenres, creating a full sound while staying true to the natural tones coming from your instrument. One downside of chorus pedals is that they can create a cacophony of notes if not adjusted correctly. That’s why it’s important to get a chorus effects pedal with multiple speeds, like the new Allen Eden Deep Dive Chorus Effects Pedal.
While electric guitars allow players to toggle the sound by incorporating effects pedals and production tools, not everyone needs these features. Acoustic guitars, traditionally hollow, often create a softer, more intimate sound than electric, making then a frequent choice for singer/songwriters, country musicians, jazz artists, and soft rock bands. They also require much less gear than electric guitars, which is why new players often start on an acoustic guitar.
All guitars have two main parts: the neck and the body. When the strings, which run from the neck to the body, get plucked, the vibration gets transmitted to the top, side, and back of the guitar. Unlike electric guitars, acoustic guitars have a sound hole in the body, amplifying the vibrations and creating a stronger, robust sound. Therefore, acoustic guitars do not require an amp, lowering equipment costs.
Unlike electric guitars, many acoustic guitars have a waist, the indented area to easily rest the guitar on your knee. The two widenings that come from the waist are called the bouts, which heavily affect the tone depending on the size and shape. However, the main pieces of the guitar that affect the sound are the fingerboard and frets.
Since the acoustics of an electric guitar come out of an amp, the body size doesn’t change the sound. However, the body size of an acoustic guitar is the main part that manipulates the sound. The larger the body, the heavier the bass response is. (The exclusion to this is the Orchestra Model which lacks a bass response even though it’s a mid-sized guitar.) The size of the body also affects the volume levels; smaller acoustic guitars often have a light, balanced sound, whereas larger guitars have a heavy, robust sound. Choosing the right body allows you to decide the bass and volume levels of your instrument.
The fingerboard is the face of the neck that your fingers move up and down on, and the frets are the metal pieces that cut into the fingerboard at specific intervals. When you press down on the strings over the frets, the length of the string that vibrates changes, changing the tone that comes out of the sound hole.
The last piece of a guitar that changes the sound comes from the tuning heads, the metal knobs attached to the headstock. When you turn these knobs, the tension of the strings changes, creating a sharper or deeper sound. Changing the tension of the strings changes the key in which the guitar is tuned, so it’s very important that you know how far you need to turn the tuning heads. A tuner can help you with this.
While acoustic guitars have limitations, they are great instruments for musicians looking for an intimate sound, new players, and those who have no need for effect pedals or amps. Take a look at Allen Eden’s catalog of premium acoustic guitars on our website.
For over 35 years, Paul Reed Smith Guitars, or PRS Guitars for short, have been manufacturing and distributing premium electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, and amplifiers. They started by partnering with a factory in Annapolis, MD and launching at industry events. After three years, they went from few sales to manufacturing 15 guitars a day. Since then, PRS Guitars has become a major player in the industry, getting clumped with Fender and Gibson as a premier electric guitar manufacturer.
PRS Guitars started by combining vintage and modern manufacturing methods to create a full-bodied sound that fits with a variety of genres. Since then, they’ve focused on providing a wide range of guitars and basses to fit all styles, sounds, and budgets. Although most of their stock is made in bulk, PRS Guitars still provides a custom-built option to fit your needs.
Allen Eden Guitars started in 2005 focusing on manufacturing quality, affordable luthier parts to update, fix, and build a guitar. We started as an online-only store, ensuring that everyone had access to the parts and accessories they need for a great sound. However, as our business grew, so did we, and we opened a brick and mortar location in El Monte, California in 2014. Jump a year later, and we noticed that players were looking for more than just parts. So in 2015, we started manufacturing guitars and partnering with other gear manufacturing companies to sell pedals, amps, strings, and a variety of other music necessities. However, even with our growth, we’ve never strayed from our goal: provide great guitars and gear at an accessible price.
What makes Allen Eden different from the rest is our dedication to provide affordable, excellent products with fantastic customer service. We start by designing our guitars in house, focusing on vintage designs with a modern flare. We match our competitors’ quality and variety with below average prices by manufacturing our electric guitars, acoustic guitars, electric basses, and luthier parts overseas. Once they’re built, we store them around the US for easy 1-day shipping. Our tight-knit team of 10 people are happy to suggest products tailored to your needs, and we’re always available to answer any questions you may have. That’s the Allen Eden way.
Learn more about Allen Eden Guitars by exploring our products here. You can also stay in the loop about exclusive deals and new products by subscribing to our newsletter. And keep an eye out on our social media channels: we’ve got some sick new products on the way...
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