Building a semi-hollow electric guitar from scratch or from parts is one of the most rewarding projects for any guitarist. Semi-acoustics, with their warm resonance and versatile character, sit perfectly between the world of jazz, blues, and modern rock. In this article, we’ll explore how to assemble a high-quality semi-hollow guitar by selecting the right components and putting them together into an instrument that’s truly your own.
1. The Body: The Heart of the Instrument
The body defines much of the guitar’s resonance. For a semi-hollow build, look for:
- Maple body with a center block: Classic for models like the Gibson ES-335. Maple offers brightness and clarity, while the center block reduces feedback.
- Laminated construction: Keeps the guitar strong while still giving it that airy resonance.
- F-holes: Essential for projection and semi-acoustic character.
Example of a semi-hollow body ready for assembly
2. The Neck: Playability Comes First
Your neck determines how comfortable your guitar will be to play.
- Wood choice: Mahogany for warmth, maple for snap, or a combination (mahogany neck with a rosewood or ebony fingerboard).
- Scale length: 24.75” (Gibson style) for a smoother, bluesy feel; 25.5” (Fender style) for brightness and tension.
- Profile: Slim taper for speed, or a rounded C for classic jazz comfort.
Different neck options waiting to be fitted to semi-hollow bodies
3. Pickups: The Voice of Your Guitar
Semi-hollows shine with pickups that balance warmth and clarity.
- Humbuckers:
- Seymour Duncan Seth Lover: Vintage PAF tone, warm and dynamic.
- Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday: Sweet highs, perfect for jazz/blues.
- P-90s (for a grittier voice): Lollar P-90s are a favorite.
4. Electronics: Subtle but Essential
- Pots: Use 500k CTS pots for humbuckers (for brightness).
- Capacitors: Orange Drop 0.022 µF for a smooth tone roll-off.
- Switch: Switchcraft 3-way toggle for durability.
- Jack: Pure Tone multi-contact for a solid connection.
Pre-wired harnesses are available to simplify the tricky semi-hollow wiring process.
5. Hardware: Stability Meets Style
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic (Gotoh or TonePros) for solid intonation.
- Tailpiece: Stopbar for sustain, or a Bigsby tremolo for vintage vibes.
- Tuners: Locking tuners by Hipshot or Gotoh to keep tuning stable.
- Nut: Bone or Tusq for resonance and tuning stability.
6. Assembly Tips
- Dry fit first: Place all components before drilling.
- Wiring trick: Use surgical tubing or string to guide electronics through the F-holes.
- Setup: Once strung, adjust truss rod, bridge height, and intonation carefully.
7. Hands-On: Step-by-Step DIY Assembly
Here’s a straightforward process:
- Prepare your workspace: Clean bench, lighting, screwdrivers, soldering iron, small drill, ruler, Allen keys.
- Install the tuners: Mount them on the headstock and check alignment.
- Attach the neck: Set neck = glue & clamp; bolt-on = screw with plate.
- Bridge & tailpiece: Mark, drill pilot holes, install in line with center.
- Pickups & electronics:
- Guide wiring with tubing through F-holes.
- Solder neatly and avoid overheating.
- Mount pickups securely.
- Nut and frets: Polish or use pre-slotted parts.
- String up: Add fresh strings, stretch gently.
- Adjust setup: Truss rod, action, intonation, pickup balance.
🎥 Watch this step in action:
8. Shopping Checklist & Estimated Costs
| Component | Suggested Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Warmoth laminated maple semi-hollow | $400–600 |
| Neck | Allparts mahogany/rosewood | $200–350 |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan Seth Lover set | $250 |
| Electronics kit | Pre-wired CTS harness (StewMac) | $100–150 |
| Bridge | Gotoh Tune-O-Matic | $70–100 |
| Tailpiece | TonePros stopbar / Bigsby B7 | $60–200 |
| Tuners | Hipshot locking | $80–120 |
| Nut | GraphTech Tusq | $15–20 |
| Strings & misc. | D’Addario or Elixir | $10 |
| Finishing supplies | Sandpaper, polish, oil, glue | $40–60 |
Total investment: $1,200 – $1,800 (vs. $3,000+ for a Gibson ES-335).
9. The Result: A Guitar That’s Truly Yours
By choosing each part yourself, you’ll end up with an instrument that reflects not only your taste in tone but also your personality as a musician. A semi-hollow guitar you built will inspire you in ways no off-the-shelf instrument can.
✅ Final Tip: Patience is the real tool. Don’t rush, enjoy the process, and your guitar will last for decades.