Guitars are built by specialists that know what they are doing and have devoted their lives to building guitars.
Best to buy a guitar built by a qualified luthier.
Recently built a Russian Balalaika from a Kit I’ve had for decades. Fun project and turned out quite nice.
Unfortunately, I have no idea how to tune or play it. But, looks good on the mantle.
If you can locate and procure some... Reclaimed waterlogged and then seasoned timber wood from the great lakes has the premium sound. Rumor has it this is how Stradivarius was able to produce his tone quality. He used logs that had been waterlogged for many many years before curing.
It really is all about the wood.
Selecting good wood is an art in itself.
I can attest from personal experience.
Luthier ping..
As my son went from the starter-Strat to the Strat to the Gibson to the “I need a better guitar...” I told him, dammit, make your own damned guitar.
I gave him a $2k budget, which he found insufficient, so he went out and earned another $2k playing with the axe I already bought him and built a damned fine guitar, which 10 years later he still uses professionally.
I don’t think he grew and cut his own trees, but he figured it out from the wood on up. Very proud of him.
This is great. Thanks for posting.
Rd later.
Good evening, Mary-Lou! ;-)
I prefer to assemble a custom guitar from existing parts. It’s quicker and will be of higher quality.
Speaking of Guitars, I saw Pat Metheny play last Friday night in Troy, NY. On one song he pulled out this odd guitar with strings going every which way. Anyway, here’s a nice interview he did with Beato: https://youtu.be/QEgalcH_-b4