Skateboard Deck Guitar: How To Make It
Introduction:
Have you ever looked at an old skateboard deck and thought, “What else can I make with this?” Well, how about turning it into a guitar? Yep, you read that right! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to transform a regular skateboard deck into a fully functional electric guitar. This project combines creativity, upcycling, and a love for music all in one! Plus, imagine the bragging rights when you pull out a custom-made guitar at your next jam session! If you’re into DIY projects and have a passion for music, this skateboard deck guitar DIY is perfect for you. Let’s get started!
1. Materials You’ll Need for Your Skateboard Deck Guitar DIY
Before you dive into this project, it’s important to gather all the materials you’ll need. Making a guitar from a skateboard deck is a bit more involved than typical DIY projects, but the effort is totally worth it. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A skateboard deck: Choose a flat or minimally curved deck. This will make it easier to attach the guitar neck and electronics.
- Guitar neck and tuners: You can either buy a pre-made neck or repurpose one from an old guitar.
- Pickups and wiring kit: This will be essential for your guitar to produce sound. You can use either single-coil or humbucker pickups, depending on the tone you’re after.
- Bridge and tailpiece: These are necessary to hold the strings in place.
- Guitar strings: Any standard set of electric guitar strings will work, though you might want to experiment with string gauge later.
- Screws, bolts, and other fasteners: For attaching the neck, bridge, and electronics.
- Tools: A drill, soldering iron, and a jigsaw are must-haves for this project.
- Sandpaper and varnish: These will help you achieve a smooth, polished look for your skateboard guitar.
As with any DIY project, having the right materials and tools on hand can make all the difference. If you’re missing any of these, local hardware or music stores can be great resources.
2. Preparing the Skateboard Deck: Shaping and Modifications
Now that you’ve got your materials, it’s time to prep the skateboard deck. This is where the magic begins! The skateboard deck will serve as the body of your guitar, and some adjustments are needed to fit the neck, pickups, and other hardware.
- Remove the trucks and wheels: First, take off the skateboard’s trucks and wheels, leaving you with just the deck. These are great for repurposing in other projects or keeping as memorabilia.
- Measure and mark the neck pocket: Measure the width and depth of the neck where it will attach to the deck. Mark this area on the skateboard using a pencil or marker.
- Cut the neck pocket: Using a jigsaw, carefully cut out the area where the neck will be inserted. Take your time here, as you want the fit to be snug but not too tight.
- Sand the edges: Sand down the cut area and the edges of the deck for a smooth finish. This will also help with painting and varnishing later.
- Drill holes for pickups and controls: Using your drill, create openings for the pickups and control knobs. Be precise with your measurements to ensure everything fits properly when you assemble the guitar.
Modifying the skateboard deck can feel intimidating at first, but once you’ve got the neck pocket cut and everything sanded, you’ll start to see your skateboard guitar DIY take shape!
3. Attaching the Guitar Neck to the Skateboard Deck
With the deck prepped, it’s time to attach the guitar neck. This is arguably one of the most critical steps because the neck determines the playability of your new instrument.
- Align the neck: Position the neck on the deck, ensuring it aligns perfectly with the center of the skateboard. This will ensure that your strings line up correctly later.
- Secure with screws or bolts: Use screws or bolts to attach the neck to the skateboard deck. Make sure the neck is secure and won’t wiggle during play.
- Adjust the neck angle: Check the angle of the neck relative to the body. Some adjustments may be needed to achieve the correct string tension. You can use small shims if the neck needs to be slightly raised.
- Check for stability: Once the neck is attached, give it a few tugs to make sure it’s stable. A loose neck can cause problems with tuning and intonation.
Attaching the neck requires precision, so it’s always a good idea to measure twice before drilling any holes. The stability of the neck will play a huge role in how well your guitar stays in tune and how comfortable it is to play.
4. Wiring and Installing the Pickups
Now that the neck is on, it’s time to get into the electronics. Installing the pickups is where your skateboard guitar DIY will start to come to life!
- Position the pickups: Decide where you want to place the pickups. Most people opt for a standard neck and bridge setup, but feel free to experiment with different placements.
- Wiring the pickups: Follow the wiring diagram that comes with your pickups and solder the necessary connections. If this is your first time wiring, don’t worry—there are plenty of online tutorials to guide you through it.
- Install the control knobs: Once the pickups are wired, install the volume and tone control knobs. These control the output and tone of your new guitar.
- Test the wiring: Before you finish, plug the guitar into an amp and test the pickups to make sure everything works. If you hear any buzzing or interference, check your solder joints and wiring connections.
This part can be a bit tricky if you’ve never worked with guitar electronics before, but once you get it right, your skateboard guitar will be ready to rock.
5. Attaching the Bridge and Stringing the Guitar
Now that the electronics are wired and tested, it’s time to attach the bridge and string your new skateboard guitar.
- Align the bridge: Place the bridge in line with the neck, ensuring it’s centered and aligned for proper string tension and intonation.
- Install the bridge and tailpiece: Screw or bolt the bridge and tailpiece into place. Be sure everything is secure, as this will hold the strings in place.
- Stringing the guitar: Once the bridge is installed, string the guitar. Make sure the strings are properly seated in the bridge and tuners.
- Adjust string height and tension: After stringing the guitar, adjust the string height to your preference. This will affect the playability and comfort of the guitar.
Stringing a guitar is a skill in itself, but don’t worry—once you get the hang of it, you’ll be doing it in minutes. Adjusting the string height is key to getting the right feel for your new custom instrument.
6. Finishing Touches: Sanding, Painting, and Customizing
Now comes the fun part—customizing your new skateboard guitar! This is where you can let your creativity shine.
- Sanding the skateboard guitar: Sand the body and neck for a smooth finish. This will also help the paint adhere better.
- Painting or adding custom designs: Want a flashy finish or a custom design? Go for it! You can paint the body, add stickers, or even stencil in designs.
- Varnishing the wood: Protect your creation with a clear varnish or lacquer. This will make the wood more durable and give it a polished look.
- Adding extra hardware: Consider adding extra hardware like strap buttons or a pickguard to give your guitar more functionality or flair.
The customization possibilities are endless! This step is all about personalizing your DIY skateboard guitar to make it one-of-a-kind.
7. Tuning and Testing Your New Skateboard Guitar
Your skateboard guitar is almost complete! The last step is to tune and test it to make sure it sounds as good as it looks.
- Tuning the guitar: Tune each string to standard tuning (or your preferred tuning) and check for any issues with intonation or string buzz.
- Testing the pickups: Plug into an amp and test the pickups. Play a few riffs to see how it sounds and make any final adjustments.
- Final adjustments: You may need to tweak the string height or adjust the neck angle slightly for optimal playability.
- Enjoy your new instrument!: Once everything is set, enjoy your new custom-made skateboard guitar! You’ve built a truly unique instrument that’s sure to turn heads.
This final step is incredibly satisfying. After all your hard work, you now have a fully functional skateboard guitar!
Conclusion:
Building a guitar from a skateboard deck is not just a fun DIY project, but also an amazing way to repurpose old materials and create something truly unique. Whether you’re looking to customize it with your favorite designs or just enjoy the process of upcycling, this skateboard guitar DIY is a rewarding challenge for any music lover. So, grab your tools and start building! And once you’re done, don’t forget to share your creation with friends or online communities of guitar enthusiasts. Who knows? Your next jam session could feature your very own handcrafted skateboard guitar!
