Looking at building a 7-string guitar kit? This article looks at the best DIY 7-string guitar kits for those crafty musicians out there.
7-string guitars are a fascinating instrument with an extended performance range over standard 6 string models. Many people are interested in building their own guitar at some point, although many people are not aware of how easy it can be, so never try.
This guide looks at the best DIY 7-string guitar kits on the market. These kits include all the materials you need to build your own guitar. Buying a DIY kit is a much easier process than building the entire guitar from scratch. You receive the body and neck premade, which can be a huge task to make on your own.
I tested 5 products and found BexGears DIY to be the best 7-string DIY guitar kit.
This package really comes with everything you need, it’s affordable and easy to build. What more can you ask for? The main selling point for me is the unique burl wood finish. It looks so tasty! These instruments have a decent feel and sound quality and are a lot of fun to make.
I’ve always been interested in making my own guitars. Building DIY guitars is a fascinating process and helps you to understand the instrument better.
Not only is the process fun itself, but you can make guitars much cheaper than it would cost to buy one, so you can save some cash too. These kits can make it a lot easier than working it out for yourself. A DIY electric guitar kit is a great entry into becoming a luthier.
There are many styles of kit out there. We wrote this guide to help you find the best one.
Whether you want to make a specific model from a particular guitar brand or decide you want to make your own unique design, there’s something on this list for you.
Keep reading for our full lineup!
Alternatively, check out my list of the best guitars for beginners!
And hey, don’t fancy building it yourself? Check out this review of the best budget 7-string guitars!
A Brief History of 7 String Guitars
7 string guitars have existed in some form since the 16th century. These were acoustic of course! With electric 7 strings coming much later in the 20th century.
The original 7 string guitars were designed very differently from what we have today, and used a completely different stringing and tuning system. They used pairs of strings rather than single ones like we have today.
The electric 7 string was born around 1930, when George Van Eps, a jazz guitarist, commissioned Epiphone to build him a custom instrument. He tuned the additional string to a higher A.
How are 7 string guitars tuned?
It really varies from player to player. There are no hard or fast rules, but there are several popular tuning choices used.
The 7-string guitar is usually tuned to EADGBE from lowest string to highest string, but it can also be tuned in a variety of different ways. For example, it can be tuned to C# F# B E A D G C# or any other tuning that makes sense for the song/artist’s needs.
Who uses 7-string guitars?
Some musicians use the 7-string guitar to create a lower sound that can be used in heavy metal music. Other musicians who play jazz or classical music use the 7-string guitar as well.
Some musicians who use a 7-string guitar are:
- Steve Vai
- Eddie Van Halen
- Joe Satriani
- John Petrucci
- Buckethead
- Jason Becker
Best in our tests
- BexGears DIY 7 String Electric Guitar Kits
- Solo JEK-7 DIY 7 String Electric Guitar Kit
- Combine 7-String DIY Electric Guitar Kit
- PIT BULL GUITARS DES-7 27″
- PIT BULL GUITARS EXA-7
- Kmise Lyre Harp 7 String DIY Kit
5 Best 7-String DIY Electric Guitar Kit Reviewed in Detail
1. BexGears DIY 7 String Electric Guitar Kits
Description
Are you looking for an affordable, high-quality guitar kit that you can customize to your own liking? This is a perfect choice.
BexGears DIY guitar kits come with all the parts and instructions needed to build a 7 string electric guitar. Whether you’re a novice or an expert builder, you get everything you need apart from the tools.
This guitar is easy to assemble and is perfect for beginners. You don’t need loads of woodworking experience to assemble this beast. This Bex Gears DIY 7string guitar kit is a great way for you to learn how to build a guitar at home.
Constructed of Poplar and Okoume, this 7 string guitar kit is an easy build with complete instructions and online support. This electric guitar package includes a routed neck and pre-fitted truss rod. All the position markers are pre-cut, so you don’t have to do much hard work.
This is a DIY guitar kit with a difference. The body and neck are pre-shaped for you and the assembly is a straightforward process for you to start rocking in no time. You’ll need to make a few minor adjustments using a small screwdriver, but everything else is already assembled, ready for you to build the rest of the guitar.
It has a great range of tones from its two humbucker pickups and single-coil bridge pickup, and the value for money makes this a great choice. The overall finished quality is high, the tuning keys keep a decent tune, which isn’t always common for DIY kits.
Specifications
- Materials: Burl Poplar Top, Okume Body, Ebony fingerboard
- Pickup: 2 x humbuckers
- Other Features: Includes all electronics and fittings
Pros & Cons
- Basic instructions included
- Pre-cut and routed body
- Easy to assemble
- Cool natural wood finish
- Some fiddly assembly pieces
- Rough fretboard
Summary
The BexGears DIY 7string guitar kit is the ultimate guitar building experience for guitarists.
You can create your dream guitar without any prior knowledge or experience, or you can upgrade an existing instrument. The kit includes all the parts you need to build a playable guitar, including strings and electronics!
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2. Solo JEK-7 DIY 7 String Electric Guitar Kit
Description
Building your own custom Electric Guitar has never been easier. The JEK 7-String DIY electric guitar kit is a complete package with all the tools and materials needed to assemble one of the most popular guitars in the US.
This guitar replicates the classic Steve Vai JEM from the Ibanez guitar brand, with the iconic inlaid fretboard and Floyd rose bridge. The original versions of these guitars are rare and expensive, so being able to make your own is a lot of fun. You could even sell it afterward!
This complete kit includes everything you need to build a complete 7 string guitar. It has a bolt-on neck which is super easy to install, and already has a truss rod installed. It includes pickups and electronics, everything you need to finish it, even strings. All the hard woodworking parts are done, and pilot holes are pre-drilled. You will have to solder the connection between the pickups and electronics, though this is easy enough.
The 7-String Guitar Kit lets you build a guitar from a set of precise pieces of wood, with all the holes drilled and shaped professionally, and easy-to-follow instructions. The manual contains detailed steps with pictures to help guide you through the process.
Specifications
- Materials: Swamp Ash Body, Maple Neck
- Pickups: 2 x Humbucker, 1 x Single-coil
- Other Features: 5-way selector switch, includes fixed bridge and all electronics
Pros & Cons
- A classic Ibanez style guitar design
- Inspired by signature Steve Vai Guitar
- Unique fretboard design
- Easy assembly
- Includes all parts
- More complex electronic circuit (3 pickups)
Summary
Well, you’ve always wanted to build a guitar, whether it’s for fun or to learn about guitar. Starting with high-quality components and rock-solid instructions, the only thing you’ll need is a few hours of spare time! This affordable kit will satisfy any customer and come at an attractive price. You may need to shop around as the website often sells out. Stock is often limited!
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3. Combine 7-String DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Description
Combine’s DIY kit line contains everything you need to build your own guitar. With a combination of resin, wood, metal screws, color & paint, you can build a beautiful instrument that will have a sound to match.
The combined guitar kit is relatively easy to build and produces a surprisingly good sound. A choice pick of the guitar world, this is not a toy and it can be used as a complete guitar or as a starting point for your custom project. The kit comes with all the hardware, including two warm humbuckers and all cabling and electronics.
The Basswood body and neck, whilst provided unassembled, are easy to attach with a nice tight fit. The neck is bolted for an easy installation and already has a truss rod. This kit is a high-quality, affordable way to begin your custom guitar building project.
Specifications
- Materials: Basswood body and neck
- Pickups: 2 x Humbuckers
- Other Features: All tuning pegs, screws, and other hardware. Premade neck
Pros & Cons
- Decent sound quality
- Easiest to assemble
- Boring natural finish
- Need to solder connection for electronics
Summary
This 7 string kit is a great purchase for anybody looking to make instruments in style. The instrument itself is quite basic, which makes it a great choice for new builders. The amount of complex work is much more limited compared to other models like the JEK above.
The guitar itself is close in style to a Fender Stratocaster, although using a different style of hardware. Overall everything felt good with this kit, from the fretboard to the tone.
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4. PIT BULL GUITARS DES-7 27″
Description
Build your dream guitar with this semi-hollow kit. These retro-styled instruments are the perfect rocket for any jazz guitarists with a passion for DIY.
This 7-string guitar offers a Semi-hollow Maple body, Blackwood Fretboard, and a Maple neck. It has a different sound to solid body guitars. The body has great sustain and feels very strong. You’ll need to add the strings (not included) and solder the electronics together yourself (not included).
With the easy-to-follow instruction guide, you’ll be up and running in no time. The neck is custom-fitted to match the body, so you won’t have to do any sanding to get it connected. All pilot holes are pre-drilled. You’ll get 2 humbuckers, a tune-o-matic bridge and stop tail, and die-cast tuners.
This guitar is more suitable for jazz players, as being hollow makes it more prone to feedback. The extra low B string and higher frequency pickups provide the perfect low tones for any performance.
Specifications
- Materials: Maple body and neck
- Pickups: 2x Humbuckers
- Other Features: Semi-Hollow body
Pros & Cons
- Cool retro styling
- Unique semi-hollow tone
- High-quality playing feel
- Pre-completed pickups
- More prone to feedback
Summary
This is a high-quality 7-string guitar kit with a hollow body. If you want to make an instrument with a retro look and feel, this is a great choice for you. We had no faults, we loved the feel of the fretboard, and felt these products provided a great customer experience. These sell from an American company so shipping might not be available worldwide.
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5. PIT BULL GUITARS EXA-7
Description
This is another great 7-string kit from Pitbull. It comes with everything you need to build your own 7 string, including all necessary hardware. This is a high-quality package, from one of the best brands in DIY guitar kits. Just check out their shop! (Pitbull Guitars.) They have a huge line of kits available.
This time it’s a full-sized guitar with a Firebird body shape. The neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. 2 Humbucker pick-ups and a traditional 3-way pickup selector are included, and sound faithful to the tone of original Gibson Firebirds.
The EXA-7 features a Tune-o-matic bridge and 7 machine heads. The guitar is shipped with 7 strings, but you can purchase additional packs for different string configurations. This type of guitar is great for playing classic rock or anything a bit harder.
Rather than using a bolt style, this favors a set neck, so you will have to do some gluing. These can be a little more unstable than bolt-ons but offer a more resonant playing experience.
Specifications
- Materials: Ash Body, Maple Neck
- Pickup: 2 x Humbuckers
- Other Features: 22 frets, natural finish
Pros & Cons
- Cool Firebird body design
- Unique head stock shape
- Decent quality humbucking pickups
- Set neck, not as easy as a bolt-on
Summary
This 7 string guitar kit is a fantastic purchase for guitar enthusiasts who want to get started in the world of DIY guitars. Many Pitbull customers review this package highly. It isn’t just a collection of parts, it’s a refined and well-thought-out DIY guitar kit. You can save a lot of time with these kits. They also come with tones of upgrade options – although reviews from customers say the shipping can take a while.
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6. Kmise Lyre Harp 7 String DIY Kit (Bonus Product)
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How to stain a guitar – 5 tips
Staining is the process of coloring the wood of a guitar to create an attractive aesthetic appearance. You may want to do this rather than have a natural finish.
- Remove the strings and hardware from the guitar.
- Use a belt sander to sand off any old lacquer or finish.
- Apply a wood conditioner to help solidify the staining process.
- Apply stain liquid with a brush, then remove the excess with a cloth.
- Apply a polyurethane final coat to protect the guitar from other stains.
7-String Guitar kit Buyers Guide
What to look for when buying a DIY guitar kit?
It isn’t always easy choosing a new guitar kit, especially a 7 string. This section covers some tips to take into account before buying a kit.
If you are looking for a good quality kit, then you should consider the following five tips:
- Check reviews of the kit – see how hard people say it is.
- Determine your budget
- Investigate the quality of the kit. Cheap materials = cheap results.
- Think about your level of woodworking skills and knowledge. What tools do you have?
- If you buy one, hold on to your original packaging. You’ll need this for shipping if you decide on swapping the kit.
Reading customer reviews can be a great way to find out more about the experience. Often you will be able to tell if there are annoying sections of the project. There are many different brands out there, so take that into account before choosing one. You can even find replicas of guitars from your favorite brand like Fender or Ibanez.
Conclusion
Overall, the best 7-string guitar kit is the BexGears DIY 7 String.
I chose this for its appearance, quality, and affordability. This thing sounds as cool as it looks, and it’s easy to put together. It has that unique, homemade aesthetic that I think is so cool when you make your own instrument. I also recommend anything from the Pit Bull brand.
Check out the BexGears DIY 7 String guitar kit today! Still looking for a guitar? Check out this list of the best ½ sized guitars!
Noah is an accomplished audio engineer with several years of experience producing music for major companies and independent artists. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of audio engineering topics to help musicians and music producers create great music.