Best DIY Guitar Mods for Under $100: In-Depth Guide
Introduction
DIY guitar mods are a fantastic way to improve the sound, playability, and aesthetics of your instrument without breaking the bank. For less than $100, you can significantly upgrade key components of your guitar and make it feel like a custom instrument. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover seven impactful DIY mods and provide a step-by-step breakdown to help you execute each one like a pro.
1. Upgrade Your Pickups
Overview: Pickups are the heart of your electric guitar’s sound. Upgrading your pickups can drastically change your tone, providing more clarity, output, or warmth depending on what you choose. Whether you’re replacing single-coil pickups, humbuckers, or P-90s, the process is similar.
Tools and Materials Needed:
New pickups (humbuckers, single coils, or P-90s)
Soldering iron (15-30W recommended)
Solder (60/40 rosin-core solder is ideal)
Wire cutters/strippers
Screwdriver (usually Phillips)
Multimeter (optional for checking wiring)
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove the strings: Loosen and remove the strings from the guitar. You’ll need free access to the pickup cavity and control cavity, especially if the wiring is involved.
Remove the pickguard or pickup mounting rings: Depending on your guitar model, you may need to remove the pickguard (for Stratocaster-style guitars) or the pickup mounting rings (for Les Paul or similar models). Unscrew the mounting screws and carefully set them aside.
Disconnect the old pickups: Inside the control cavity, locate the wiring that connects the pickups to the volume/tone pots and switch. Use a soldering iron to carefully heat and desolder the wires from the old pickups. Be sure to note the wiring positions or take a picture for reference.
Install the new pickups: Place the new pickups in the same mounting positions as the old ones. For humbuckers, ensure the pickup height and orientation (bridge vs. neck) are correct. For single coils, align them properly within the pickguard slots.
Reconnect the wiring: Use the same solder points where you removed the old pickups to attach the new ones. Be mindful of the correct wire colors (typically, ground wires are black or bare, and hot wires are different depending on the pickup brand). If needed, use a multimeter to verify connections.
Test the electronics: Before fully reassembling the guitar, plug it in and test each pickup position. Check for noise, hum, or weak signals, which could indicate bad soldering or incorrect wiring.
Reassemble the guitar: Once everything is working, reattach the pickguard or pickup rings, restring the guitar, and adjust the pickup height for optimal output (usually between 2-3mm from the strings when fretted).
2. Replace the Nut
Overview: The nut plays a critical role in tuning stability, action, and overall playability. Replacing a cheap plastic nut with a higher-quality material like bone, Tusq, or graphite can improve sustain and tuning, especially for players who use alternate tunings or heavy string bending.
Tools and Materials Needed:
New nut (bone, Tusq, or graphite)
Small file set or specialized nut files
Razor blade or small chisel
Sandpaper (320 and 600 grit)
Glue (Titebond or super glue)
Measuring tools (optional)
Step-by-Step Process:
Loosen and remove strings: Take off your guitar strings so you have clear access to the nut.
Remove the old nut: Carefully score around the edges of the nut with a razor blade to avoid damaging the finish. Use a small wooden block or flat object to tap the nut gently from the side to loosen it. In some cases, light adhesive may hold the nut in place.
Clean the nut slot: After removing the old nut, clean any remaining glue or debris from the nut slot using fine sandpaper or a small file. Ensure the slot is smooth and level for the new nut.
Fit the new nut: Most replacement nuts come oversized, so you’ll need to sand down the bottom or sides to fit the nut snugly into the slot. Be cautious—removing too much material could result in a loose fit. File the string slots as needed to match your string gauge and playing style.
Glue the new nut: Apply a small amount of glue (either Titebond or a tiny dab of super glue) to the bottom of the nut. Position the nut in the slot and press down firmly, ensuring it sits level with the fretboard.
Reassemble and test: Once the glue has dried, restring the guitar and check the string height at the nut. Adjust the string slots if necessary, ensuring smooth tuning and proper action.
3. Install Locking Tuners
Overview: Locking tuners make changing strings faster and improve tuning stability, especially for guitars with tremolo systems. Installing them is a straightforward process but requires attention to detail for proper alignment.
Tools and Materials Needed:
Locking tuners (be sure to get the correct size for your guitar)
Screwdriver (usually Phillips)
Drill (if needed for new holes)
Ruler or caliper (optional)
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove the old tuners: Start by loosening and removing the strings. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the screws and washers holding the old tuners in place. Gently pull them out of the headstock.
Prepare the new tuners: Check the size of your new locking tuners against the existing holes in the headstock. In many cases, the new tuners will fit directly into place. If not, you may need to enlarge the holes slightly with a drill.
Install the new tuners: Place each new tuner into its respective hole, ensuring it’s oriented correctly. Locking tuners have a small knob on the back for securing the string, so make sure this is easily accessible.
Tighten and align: Secure the tuners by tightening the nuts and washers on the front of the headstock. Be sure they are aligned correctly with the headstock’s edges. If needed, drill new pilot holes for the screws on the back and tighten them in place.
String up and test: Restring your guitar, using the locking mechanism to secure each string. Tune the guitar and check for any slippage or tuning stability issues. Adjust the locking mechanism as needed.
4. Upgrade the Bridge
Overview: A new bridge can improve sustain, tuning stability, and overall tone. This mod can be particularly effective for players who use tremolo or hardtail bridges. Depending on the type of bridge, the installation process can vary slightly.
Tools and Materials Needed:
New bridge (Tremolo, Tune-O-Matic, or hardtail)
Screwdriver (usually Phillips or flathead)
Allen wrenches
String action gauge (optional)
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove the old bridge: Start by loosening and removing the strings. Unscrew the bridge from the body and carefully set it aside.
Install the new bridge: Align the new bridge with the mounting holes from the previous bridge. If your new bridge uses a different mounting pattern, you may need to drill new holes. For tremolo bridges, ensure that the springs are correctly aligned in the back cavity.
Adjust the bridge height: Use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to adjust the height of the bridge saddles. For Tune-O-Matic bridges, this involves adjusting the posts that hold the bridge in place. For tremolo bridges, ensure the bridge is level with the body for proper intonation.
Set the intonation: Once the bridge is installed, restring the guitar and check the intonation. Adjust the saddles forward or backward as needed to ensure the notes are in tune all the way up the neck.
Test and fine-tune: After adjusting the intonation, play the guitar and check for any issues with sustain, action, or tuning stability. Make small adjustments as needed.
5. Change the Pots and Capacitors
Overview: Changing the pots (potentiometers) and capacitors can give you greater control over your tone and volume. Upgrading these components can reduce noise and improve the overall clarity of your sound.
Tools and Materials Needed:
New pots (250k or 500k, depending on your pickups) and capacitors
Soldering iron and solder
Wire cutters/strippers
Screwdriver (usually Phillips)
Multimeter (optional for testing wiring)
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove the control plate or back panel: Start by loosening and removing the strings. Access the control cavity by unscrewing the backplate (for Les Paul-style guitars) or control plate (for Strat-style guitars).
Desolder the old pots: Use a soldering iron to carefully heat and desolder the connections from the old pots. Be mindful of the ground wire, which is usually soldered to the back of the pots. Note the wiring positions or take a picture for reference.
Install the new pots: Insert the new pots into the control cavity and secure them with the washers and nuts. Solder the pickup wires, ground wire, and capacitor to the correct terminals on the pots. Be careful not to overheat the components.
Test the wiring: Before reassembling the guitar, test the electronics by plugging in the guitar and checking each control. Use a multimeter to verify the resistance of the pots if needed.
Reassemble the guitar: Once everything is working, replace the control plate or backplate, restring the guitar, and test the new tone and volume controls.
6. Restring with High-Quality Strings
Overview: Restringing your guitar with high-quality strings can significantly improve tone, sustain, and tuning stability. Different string materials and gauges can also affect your playing style.
Tools and Materials Needed:
High-quality strings (Nickel, stainless steel, or coated)
String winder (optional)
Tuner
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove the old strings: Loosen and remove each string, either by hand or using a string winder. Be careful not to damage the tuning pegs or bridge.
Clean the fretboard: With the strings removed, take the opportunity to clean the fretboard with a soft cloth and fretboard cleaner. This helps maintain the wood and keeps your guitar in top shape.
Restring the guitar: Thread each new string through the bridge and tuning peg. Wind the string around the peg, ensuring there are 2-3 wraps for stability. Lock the string in place using the tuners or locking mechanism if available.
Stretch and tune: After restringing, stretch each string by gently pulling on it while tuning. This ensures the strings settle properly and stay in tune.
7. Add a New Finish
Overview: Refinishing a guitar is a great way to refresh its look and protect the wood. This mod requires patience and precision, but it can give your instrument a stunning custom appearance.
Tools and Materials Needed:
Sandpaper (various grits, from 320 to 2000)
Wood finish or paint (lacquer, polyurethane, or nitrocellulose)
Clear coat (optional)
Paintbrush or spray can
Painter’s tape (for masking off parts)
Step-by-Step Process:
Disassemble the guitar: Remove the hardware, electronics, and neck (if bolt-on). Mask off any areas you don’t want to finish, such as the fretboard and pickup cavities.
Sand the old finish: Using 320-grit sandpaper, sand the old finish until it’s smooth and bare wood is visible. Be sure to sand evenly to avoid creating dips or scratches.
Apply the new finish: Using either a paintbrush or spray can, apply the first coat of finish. If using a spray, hold the can 8-12 inches away from the guitar for an even coat. Allow each coat to dry for at least 24 hours before applying the next one.
Wet sand between coats: After the first coat has dried, use 800-1000 grit wet sandpaper to lightly sand the surface before applying additional coats. This ensures a smooth and professional finish.
Apply a clear coat: Once the final color coat is dry, apply a clear coat for added protection and shine. Use the same wet sanding process between coats for the best results.
Buff the finish: After the final clear coat has cured (usually 1-2 weeks), use a polishing compound and soft cloth to buff the finish to a high gloss.
Reassemble the guitar: Once the finish is complete, reassemble the guitar by reinstalling the hardware, electronics, and neck. Tune the guitar and enjoy your newly finished instrument.
Conclusion
DIY guitar mods are a great way to upgrade your instrument on a budget, with most of these mods being achievable for under $100. Whether you’re swapping pickups, installing locking tuners, or refinishing the body, each mod can significantly enhance the performance, tone, and aesthetics of your guitar. By following this guide, you’ll not only improve your guitar but also gain valuable experience in guitar maintenance and customization. Happy modding!