The Les Paul (LP) guitar is among the most easily recognized electric guitars. There are many LP style DIY electric guitar kits available in a wide range of configurations. Since most of these kits are a pretty basic design, it leaves open a broad spectrum of possibilities for customization. They will usually require a little more skill and patience than a beginner kit (such as a Tele).
LP style guitars are a single cutaway design. Often the top of the guitar will have a contour to it. The headstock on LP style guitars is angled back from the nut and fretboard, and tuning machines are arranged three on each side.
A Les Paul guitar made by Gibson has a set neck, one that is glued in place. A Les Paul guitar made by Epiphone will usually have a bolt-on neck. Both are legitimately “Les Paul” guitars (Gibson owns Epiphone). In the same way, you will find LP style DIY guitar kits in both set neck and bolt-on neck configurations.
LP style DIY guitar kits generally come with two humbucker style pickups, and a toggle switch selects between the neck pickup (“Treble”), both pickups, or the bridge pickup (“Rhythm”). Some configurations have separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, a total of four, and other configurations have only one volume and one tone control. There are variations in pickups other than just two humbuckers. The beauty of DIY is that you can change things up however you like!
Recommended LP Style DIY Kits
| Manufacturer | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Solo LPK-10 |  | Best Set Neck |
| Solo LPK-1 |  | Best Bolt-On Neck |
| Leo Jaymz LP-Hollow |  | Best Semi-Hollow |
What to Look for When Buying a LP Style DIY Guitar Kit
Everyone has different preferences on what is important or not when deciding on a LP style DIY guitar kit. Here are some of the most important things to consider in a LP style kit. There are no right or wrong answers here. Know what you want and try to avoid surprises.
Look at the Neck
Is it a set neck or a bolt-on neck? A set neck is glued in place, and you will need one or two clamps to hold it in place while the glue cures. Be sure not to clamp too tight and to protect the guitar surfaces. We recommend Titebond original wood glue. Gluing a set neck is not as difficult as it may seem, just make the proper preparations and take your time. Follow manufacturer’s directions with the glue you choose. A properly glued joint is very strong.
Test fit everything before attaching the neck, whether it is a set neck or a bolt-on neck. You may need to shim the neck to get the proper angle to align it with the pickup and/or bridge routing.
Look at the Bridge Mounting
The standard LP style guitar uses a Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece. In some instances, the bridge and tailpiece are combined. These will require posts to be inserted into the top of the guitar. Will you need to drill the holes for the bridge posts? If so, you will need to measure carefully before drilling. LP guitars have a 24.75 inch scale, but similarly designed guitars may have a different scale. For example, solid-body PRS style guitars with a Tune-o-matic bridge may have a 25 inch scale. Bridge placement is critical.
Even if the holes are pre-drilled, be sure to test fit everything before gluing or bolting the neck and installing the bridge posts. You will notice that that, while the bridge and tailpiece are installed from the top of the guitar, the controls are usually installed from a cutout in the back.
Look at the Body, Neck and Fingerboard Materials
Is the top of the guitar contoured or flat? How will you finish the guitar. Will you stain or dye it? Will you paint it? Consider whether or not you will want a “cap” or veneer that is a single piece of wood, or if you will need to grain-fill the surface in order to get it smooth.
The fingerboard of your LP style DIY kit may be maple or it may be rosewood (or something similar). Consider how you will be finishing the fingerboard.
LP Style DIY Guitar Kit Product Reviews
Here are the reviews of the best LP style DIY electric guitar kits.
Solo LPK-10 Guitar Kit
This is our recommendation for the best set neck LP style guitar. In true Les Paul style, it has a mahogany body and neck. This one has a flamed maple top with a cream binding, ready for a custom dye and clear nitrocellulose lacquer finish. It has a rosewood fingerboard with traditional trapezoid inlays. The headstock is already shaped, so all you need to do here is apply the finish and put it together. Or, you could customize it and make it your own.
It has two humbucker pickups with a three-way toggle switch, two volume and two tone controls. You will need to solder these. The body is pre-drilled for the Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece to match the standard 24.75 inch scale. The set neck has a 22-fret fingerboard.
Solo DIY electric guitar kits are advertised with the frets professionally leveled and dressed, which is very nice. A few builders (perhaps us perfectionists?) have reported that minimal fretwork was required. In truth, any guitar kit you buy will need some fine-tuning to your preferences.
Pros
- Traditional LP style woods – mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top.
- Body is pre-drilled for the bridge and tailpiece.
- Headstock is already shaped.
Cons
- Electronic components require soldering all connections.
Read more reviews at Solo Guitars or at Amazon.
Solo LPK-1 Guitar Kit
And here is our recommendation for the best bolt-on neck LP style guitar. This one is more like an Epiphone. It also has a true mahogany body and neck, and the bolt-on is a little easier put together. The body is flat rather than arched, so there is less of a challenge there as well. The headstock is already shaped; you can leave it as-is or customize it and make it your own. This is a great beginner kit.
It has two humbucker pickups with a three-way toggle switch, two volume and two tone controls. You will need to solder these. The body is pre-drilled for the Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece to match the standard 24.75 inch scale. The set neck has a 22-fret fingerboard.
Solo DIY electric guitar kits are advertised with the frets professionally leveled and dressed, which is very nice. A few builders (perhaps us perfectionists?) have reported that minimal fretwork was required. In truth, any guitar kit you buy will need some fine-tuning to your preferences.
Pros
- Traditional LP style woods – flat mahogany body and neck.
- Body is pre-drilled for the bridge and tailpiece.
- Pre-cut headstock design.
- Good beginner LP style DIY guitar kit.
Cons
- Electronic components require soldering all connections.
Read more reviews at Solo Guitars or at Amazon.
Leo Jaymz LP-Hollow Kit
This is our pick for the best semi-hollow body LP DIY kit. It’s also a mahogany body and neck with a maple top. It has a rosewood fingerboard with traditional trapezoid inlays, and a pre-shaped headstock that closely resembles the Gibson mustache.
It has two humbucker pickups with a three-way toggle switch, two volume and two tone controls. You will need to solder these. The body is pre-drilled for the Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece to match the standard 24.75 inch scale. The set neck has a 22-fret fingerboard.
Get ready for a challenge if you haven’t done one of these yet. The electronic components are partially assembled, and you will need to solder the remaining connections. All of them go in through the f-hole on the top of the guitar. There is no cutout in the back. The finished product is beautiful, but you will need a little patience.
Pros
- True semi-hollow construction.
- Traditional LP style woods – mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top.
- Body is pre-drilled for the bridge and tailpiece.
- Headstock is already shaped.
Cons
- Component installation may be more challenging than other kits.
Read more reviews at Amazon.
A Few More LP Style Kits
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Les Paul is a trademark of Gibson Brands, Inc.