STEP 1 of 7

Size your guitar neck
Cut your wood to size depending on your preferred length. Shorter for a little person or longer for an adult. You can also experiment with length to see how it effects the sound – longer for deep bass notes or shorter for higher pitches.

STEP 2 of 7

Create the holes for the guitar neck
Using the neck, trace a hole on opposite sides of the tin can. Cut the holes open with the utility knife and bend back the flaps with the pliers. Don’t bend the flaps all the way down, you’ll need them later.

STEP 3 of 7

Attach the neck to the body
Slide the neck through the holes. Drive a screw through each flap so the neck won’t shift while you play.

STEP 4 of 7

Make and attach the bridge
Create a small wooden bridge like the one shown here using scrap wood and glue. Screw it onto the base of the tin can. Add notches for the strings using the utility knife.

STEP 5 of 7

Add tuning pegs
Drill holes for the wood dowels. The dowels will be your tuning pegs. Don’t drill the holes too big, the tuning pegs have to fit snugly. Drill as many holes as you have notches in the bridge. Slip the dowel into its spot.

STEP 6 of 7

String your guitar and start jammin'
At the base of the neck, drill tiny holes for the strings. Lace the strings through and tie them off at the base of the neck. Tie the other ends onto the tuning pegs then turn the pegs to tighten the strings. Place the lid back on the tin and you’ve got yourself a homemade guitar.

STEP 7 of 7

Level Up
Experiment with the materials you use for the body. Instead of a tin can what other ridgid hollow container could you use? Cookie tins, old recipe card holders or other plastic cases might make different sounds and would work just as well.

What's Next?

You're done! Share your creation! You're done! Start a new creation!