Guitar Kit World is a U.S.-based DIY guitar kit company founded in 2013 and operated by Maker Kit World LLC (Wyoming, USA). We specialize in unfinished electric guitar and bass kits designed for builders who want to create an instrument that is uniquely their own.Our catalog includes more than 250 DIY guitar kits across 40+ body shapes, including electric, bass, hollow body, semi-hollow, acoustic-electric, baritone, headless, 7-string, and left-handed models. Every kit is manufactured to our own specifications and arrives as a natural wood canvas ready for you to customize, finish, and assemble.What makes Guitar Kit World different is our focus on original designs, builder support, and long-term community trust. Every kit includes a 10-factor difficulty rating to help customers choose the right project for their experience level, and we support builders with 370+ YouTube tutorials, written guides, and direct human support from our team.Since launching in 2013, thousands of builders worldwide have used our kits to create custom instruments for home studios, workshops, classrooms, and live performance. Our kits have also been used by university programs including Southern Arkansas University to teach guitar building and instrument design.We ship to more than 100 countries and have earned hundreds of verified customer reviews from builders sharing completed projects, custom finishes, and full DIY builds.We sell exclusively through guitarkitworld.com and are not affiliated with Amazon, eBay, or third-party marketplaces.If you would like to see customer reviews with product images and completed DIY guitar builds from our community, visit:https://guitarkitworld.com/reviews
Guitar Kit World (guitarkitworld.com) has 61 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Also known as
guitarkitworld.com
Website
guitarkitworld.com
Category
Music & Instruments
Location
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 98% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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My kit is a thinline hollowbody, something like Chuck Berry's ES-350T "Maybelline." Flamed maple veneer, chrome hardware, Venetian cutaway. Received Apr 8, 2023, still paused Sep 8 2026.
I intend to leave it natural, with only the front of the headstock painted satin black. Everything else is to be clearcoated.
I'm stalled in the clearcoat stage thanks to some medical matters, but since I'm working in acrylic lacquer I can just pick up anytime.
It was well-packaged, no scratches or damage, no missing parts (UPS did their usual "Soccer With Your Package" schtick, though). The wood parts were cleanly cut, with little to no "whiskering" or splinters along cut edges.
Assembly is pretty straightforward, though my kit (2023) didn't come with a parts list or instructions. I didn't consider that an issue.
Currently, the neck and body have been glued up for three years.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldSep 8, 2026
Hi Aj, thanks so much for the great review and thoughtful feedback! We're glad to hear the kit arrived safely and that the initial assembly was smooth. Wishing you all the best with your health and recovery! Thanks for being part of our community!
The Ultimate Canvas for a Heavy-Hitting Build
When my son and I decided to build an axe inspired by the Doomslayer from DOOM, I knew standard off-the-rack guitars wouldn't cut it. I wanted something capable of handling crushing, low-tuned Mick Gordon-style riffs, and this 30" baritone semi-hollow kit felt like the perfect foundation.
This was my very first DIY guitar kit. If you're on the fence because you think you need years of lutherie experience—don't be. A kit like this is essentially a high-grade blank canvas, and what you put into it is where the magic happens.
Wood Quality, Neck, & Craftsmanship
Body & Top: The mahogany body and archtop arrived smooth, clean, and ready for work. Because I had zero woodworking experience, taking a Home Depot chisel set and stencil straight to bare wood to hand-carve the Slayer's rune was nerve-wracking—but the wood held up beautifully without splintering or tearing out.
Finish Acceptance: I finished the body in multiple coats of dark forest/olive-drab green stain to replicate the Doomslayer’s armor. Because the grain on this mahogany is prominent, the stain settled in deep while letting the raw wood texture remain tactile. Under low stage lighting it reads almost black, but up close you see all the character.
Neck & Fretboard: The 30" scale length combined with the ebony fretboard gives you immense low-end string tension without feeling sluggish. Your fretting hand will need an adjustment period if you aren’t used to a true 30" baritone reach, but once you adapt, the clarity on drop tunings is massive. Fretwork out of the box was level and clean.
Hardware & Assembly Notes
Stock Hardware: The included bridge, tailpiece, jack plate, and truss rod cover are solid, reliable, and stayed on the final build.
Modifications & Upgrades: To match the aggressive aesthetic and heavy sound, I swapped in Hipshot locking tuners, metal pickup rings, Dunlop strap locks, spent shotgun shell control knobs, a custom toggle switch plate, and an active EMG 81/85 (Zakk Wylde…because buzzsaw) pickup set.
Custom Touch: For the finishing visual punch, I added rechargeable LED pucks held magnetically inside the f-holes, allowing them to glow fiery red from within and pop right out whenever they need a charge.
Sound & Playability
Plugged into a high-gain amp, this guitar sounds downright apocalyptic. The semi-hollow construction paired with a 30" scale and high-output EMGs delivers a massive, resonant punch that tracks fast, articulate low-end notes without turning into mud. It plays fast, hits like a sledgehammer, and looks like a medieval relic pulled straight out of hell.
The Verdict
Building this with my son turned into an incredible bonding project, and it produced an instrument that is 100% unique—nobody else owns one like it, and nobody can buy it off a rack.
Don't be intimidated by mistakes or lack of tools. Dive in, get your hands dirty, and make it your own. If you want a brutal, versatile platform for heavy music or extreme custom modding, this 30" Baritone kit is unbeatable.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldSep 7, 2026
Bill, thank you so much for sharing such a detailed, inspiring review! Knowing that our 30" Baritone kit served as the foundation for an unforgettable project with your son is the best compliment we could ever receive. For someone taking on a first-time build with no prior woodworking experience, hand-carving the top, applying that dark olive-drab finish, and magnetically mounting rechargeable LED pucks inside the f-holes is next-level work!
CD
Clinica da G.
I'm a luthier and guitar tech in…
I'm a luthier and guitar tech in Portugal and I was looking for a good kit to create a dedicated course. After a lot of search and try out of innumerous guitar kits that industry offers, I decided to try Guitar Kit World and there's no best option in the market considering price-quality relation. The dimensions are accurate, the joints are perfect and the wood is of high quality, meeting the industry standards of well know finished guitars. You can't go wrong with this.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldSep 4, 2026
We couldn't ask for a better review! Hearing that Guitar Kit World stood out after you tested so many options across the industry makes all our hard work worthwhile. Thank you for trusting us with your dedicated course in Portugal, and welcome to the community!
BS
Byron S.
Guitarkitworld surprised me
Guitarkitworld surprised me. This “full hollow” kit is literally a well-built acoustic 7-string guitar with pickups. There is a rectangular block just behind the bridge location which acts, I think, like the Sound Post in a violin. I enjoyed building it and I’m enjoying learning to play 7-string Jazz. I was also impressed with the quality of the hardware. These pickups are great, very sensitive and responsive. Great highs and lows, all the way down to a low A on the 7th string. A fun build and good value.
Thanks Guitarkitworld. Byron Stafford.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldSep 2, 2026
Hi Byron, thank you so much for the detailed review! We're thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed the build process and that you're loving the response and tone of those pickups for your 7-string Jazz playing. Enjoy the new instrument, and thanks again for choosing Guitar Kit World!
MM
Mar-Mar Electric G.
I've ordered over 12 kits from guitar kit world
I get personalized service from Guitar Kit World. They also always make sure my orders are just right. I actually use their kits to teach classes and the quality has continuously improved over the last year.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldAug 16, 2026
Hi Kalimar, thanks for sharing your experience with our kits and for continuing to choose Guitar Kit World. We’re glad the kits are helping in your classes, and we look forward to continuing to work together.
JM
James M.
I grew up playing punk music and have…
I grew up playing punk music and have always gravitated to single pickup guitars. The Les Paul Jr design is the epitome of a Punk Guitar. I have always wanted to customize a Les Paul Jr type of build to a color and configuration that is for me and not the stock choices that the factory built guitars come it. This kit was exactly what I was looking for. I am so pleased with how accurately the neck and body fit. The final product is something I will cherish forever.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldAug 15, 2026
Thanks for sharing your experience, James! We love hearing that the kit helped you bring your ideal punk guitar to life. We’re so pleased you’re happy with the fit and final result, and we hope it becomes a treasured part of your collection.
MC
Michael C.
Double Cut Build
This was my first build with Guitar Kit World. The double cutaway was just what I wanted. The kit was shipped from the international warehouse and arrived on time. The flame top was beautiful. I really enjoyed building the kit. I highly recommend GKW. I even ordered another kit and working on it now.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldAug 11, 2026
Hi Michael, thank you for sharing your experience. We’re very happy that the double-cutaway design and beautiful flame top lived up to your expectations, and that delivery was smooth and on time. We truly appreciate the recommendation, and we’re excited that you’re already working on your next GKW kit!
SK
steve K.
Well everything turned out looking good…
Well everything turned out looking good but not playing good. There are many buzzes along the neck even with the action very high, to get intonation correct I had to move the bridge farther down the body then it was set for, that meant routing out the bridge pocket, filling the original pre drilled holes and re drilling. The electronics work but the sound in the treble end is something to be desired. Going to take it to a luthier and see what he thinks.
Response from Guitar Kit WorldAug 11, 2026
Hi Steve, thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that your kit turned out looking good, but we’re sorry that the final playability and setup have not met expectations.
Fret buzz and intonation can often be resolved during the final setup, which is an important part of any guitar build. Our team will reach out directly to help you troubleshoot the buzzing and get the instrument playing as it should. In the meantime, our guide on diagnosing and addressing fret buzz may be useful: https://guitarkitworld.com/blogs/resources/fret-buzz
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and look forward to helping you get the best possible result from your build.