Best Electric Guitar Bodies Made from Wood

As a passionate guitarist and builder, I’ve spent countless hours exploring how different elements come together to create that perfect sound. One of the most fundamental choices, often overlooked by beginners but revered by pros, is the wood used for an electric guitar’s body. Trust me, it’s not just about aesthetics; the body wood plays a massive role in the instrument’s tone, sustain, weight, and overall feel. Whether you’re dreaming of a DIY build, upgrading an existing guitar, or just curious about what makes your favorite axe sing, understanding the best electric guitar bodies made from wood is absolutely crucial. I’ve personally delved into various options, from raw blanks to full kits, to figure out what truly stands out. In this guide, we’ll walk through some excellent choices, discussing their unique features, benefits, and who they’re best suited for. You’ll get practical insights to help you choose the right wood for your next electric guitar project or purchase.

IMAGE	PRODUCT NAME	AMAZON LINK
	Generic Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank Wood, Variety of…	View on Amazon
	Leo Jaymz 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar – Poplar…	View on Amazon
	Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank Wood Variety of Exotic…	View on Amazon
	Leo Jaymz DIY Electric Guitar Kits with Mahogany Body and…	View on Amazon
	Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline Acoustic-Electric…	View on Amazon

Generic Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank Wood, Variety of…

If you’re truly getting your hands dirty and want to build an electric guitar from the ground up, starting with a quality body blank is essential. This particular blank offers American Mahogany, a classic tonewood renowned for its warm, rich, and balanced sound with excellent sustain. It’s a fantastic foundation for a custom build, allowing you complete freedom over the shape, routing, and finish. I’ve found that using a good, air-dried blank like this makes a huge difference in the final resonance and stability of the instrument. It feels solid and ready to be sculpted into something truly special.

• Key Features:
  • Exotic Electric guitar body blank, specifically American Mahogany.
  • Measures 21″ x 14″ x 2″, offering ample material for various body shapes.
  • Perfectly air-dried, ensuring stability and readiness for use.
  • Guaranteed no defects, no pinholes, and no cracks, for a clean starting canvas.
• Pros:
  • Premium American Mahogany offers superb tonal properties (warmth, sustain, balance).
  • Air-drying ensures natural stability and resonance.
  • Generous dimensions allow for custom body shapes and designs.
  • High-quality, defect-free material reduces waste and project headaches.
• Cons:
  • Requires advanced woodworking skills and tools to shape and route.
  • Only the body blank is provided; all other components must be sourced.
  • Can be a significant investment for a raw material.
• Best for: Experienced DIY builders, luthiers, or those seeking a truly custom electric guitar body from a classic tonewood.

User feedback summary: Builders often rave about the excellent quality and workability of this mahogany blank, noting its beautiful grain and consistent density. Many appreciate the “no defects” guarantee, which saves time and frustration during the building process.

Leo Jaymz 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar – Poplar…

Sometimes, you’re not looking to build from scratch but want a solid, affordable entry into electric guitars where the body wood still makes a difference. This Leo Jaymz electric guitar features a poplar wood body, which is a fantastic choice for its balanced tone and lighter weight. I’ve always found poplar to be a very versatile wood, offering a neutral tonal base that works well with a variety of pickups and playing styles. This full guitar gives you a chance to experience a complete instrument built around a reliable wood choice, perfect for beginners or as a mod platform.

• Key Features:
  • Full 39-inch DC Solid Body Electric Guitar design.
  • Features a Poplar wood body, known for its balanced tone and lighter weight.
  • Bolt-on Maple neck with a Laurel Wood fretboard, a common and reliable combination.
  • 22 frets, 24.75-inch scale, and a 14-inch radius for comfortable playability.
• Pros:
  • Poplar body offers a balanced, resonant tone and a comfortable weight.
  • An affordable complete guitar for beginners or as a base for modifications.
  • Ready to play out of the box, no building required.
  • Maple neck and Laurel fretboard provide a classic, snappy feel.
• Cons:
  • Not just a body; it’s a complete guitar, so less customization for body shape/routing.
  • Poplar might not have the “exotic” appeal or specific tonal warmth of mahogany for some players.
  • Components (pickups, hardware) might be entry-level quality.
• Best for: Beginners, students, or guitarists looking for an affordable, full electric guitar with a versatile poplar body for practice, gigs, or easy modding.

User feedback summary: Many users highlight this as a great value-for-money option, praising its surprisingly good playability for the price point. The poplar body is often mentioned for its comfortable weight and solid feel, making it a good starter guitar or a reliable backup.

Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank Wood Variety of Exotic…

Here’s another excellent option for the dedicated builder, featuring Khaya (African Mahogany), a wood often compared to its American cousin but with its own unique sonic flavor. What’s particularly great about this blank is that it’s kiln-dried to a precise moisture content, which means it’s incredibly stable and ready for immediate use. I appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing the wood has been professionally prepared, reducing the risk of future warping or cracking. This blank is three pieces glued together, a common and structurally sound practice in guitar manufacturing, ensuring a wide, stable canvas for your dream build.

• Key Features:
  • Exotic Electric guitar body blank made from Khaya spp. (African Mahogany).
  • Measures 21″ x 14″ x 2″, providing ample material for shaping.
  • Kiln-dried to a precise moisture content of around 6-8%, ensuring stability.
  • Constructed from 3 pieces of glued body blanks, offering strength and consistency.
  • Scientific naming ensures authenticity of the exotic wood.
• Pros:
  • Khaya offers similar tonal warmth and resonance to American Mahogany but can be slightly brighter.
  • Kiln-drying guarantees superior stability and reduces acclimatization time.
  • Three-piece construction is standard and provides a robust foundation.
  • Ideal for custom builds where wood stability is paramount.
• Cons:
  • Requires significant woodworking expertise and equipment.
  • The three-piece glue line might be visible if using a transparent finish.
  • Still only a blank, all other guitar components are extra.
• Best for: Serious DIY builders and luthiers who prioritize wood stability and the distinct tonal qualities of African Mahogany for their custom electric guitar bodies.

User feedback summary: Builders often commend the excellent quality of the kiln-dried Khaya, noting its stability and ease of working. The consistent moisture content is a frequently praised feature, making it a reliable choice for high-end builds where precision matters.

Leo Jaymz DIY Electric Guitar Kits with Mahogany Body and…

For those who want the satisfaction of building their own electric guitar but without starting from a raw slab, a DIY kit like this Leo Jaymz option is fantastic. This kit features a solid mahogany body that comes pre-polished and with a bottom varnish, significantly reducing the most challenging part of finishing. I’ve found that these kits are a great way to learn about guitar construction while ending up with a playable instrument. The mahogany body provides that classic rich tone, and with all cavities pre-drilled, it simplifies assembly immensely.

• Key Features:
  • Bolt-on Neck BC style electric guitar DIY Kit with a solid body.
  • Beautiful solid mahogany body that’s pre-polished and has a bottom varnish.
  • All cavities for pickups and control knobs are pre-drilled.
  • Includes a Maple neck, Laurel Wood fingerboard with Razor blade pattern inlay.
  • Comes with a Fixed 6 string Tune-O-Matic bridge, 3-3 Machine heads, and all wiring/screws.
  • Thickened single side can be pasted with copper foil paper for noise reduction.
• Pros:
  • Mahogany body provides excellent tone and sustain, pre-finished to save time and effort.
  • All components are included, making it a complete build project.
  • Pre-drilled cavities simplify the assembly process for beginners.
  • Copper foil paper for noise reduction is a thoughtful addition.
• Cons:
  • Less creative freedom with the body shape and routing compared to a blank.
  • Assembly skills are still required, though less intensive than a full scratch build.
  • Components are generally entry-level, but can be upgraded.
• Best for: Intermediate DIY enthusiasts, those wanting to learn guitar assembly, or anyone looking for a fun project resulting in a mahogany-bodied electric guitar without complex woodworking.

User feedback summary: Many users report this kit is surprisingly comprehensive and well-organized, making the build process enjoyable. The pre-finished mahogany body is a big hit, saving a lot of effort and allowing builders to focus on assembly and setup. People often mention the satisfaction of playing a guitar they built themselves.

Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline Acoustic-Electric…

While this particular product is an acoustic-electric guitar rather than a purely electric one, its construction highlights excellent principles of fine hardwood body construction that are relevant to any guitar, including electrics. The body is crafted from X-braced, A-grade Spruce wood and Basswood, a combination known for its resonance and warmth. Spruce is highly prized for its vibrant tone and projection, while Basswood contributes a balanced warmth. Understanding how these woods contribute to an acoustic’s sound can inform your choices for electric guitar bodies, where wood still influences resonance and sustain. Its thinline design also shows how body thickness can impact both sound and comfort.

• Key Features:
  • Full-size (41″), Thinline Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar.
  • Body constructed from X-braced, A-grade Spruce wood and Basswood.
  • Spruce provides resiliency and versatility; Basswood adds warmth.
  • Thinline (3″ thick) cutaway design for comfort and unique aesthetic/sound.
  • Loaded with upgrades like an on-board 4-band pickup/EQ and phosphor bronze strings.
  • Comes as a complete kit with a gig bag, picks, strap, and extra strings.
• Pros:
  • Excellent example of high-quality wood construction in a guitar body (Spruce/Basswood).
  • Spruce offers great tonal projection and clarity, while Basswood provides warmth.
  • Thinline design is comfortable and lightweight, a consideration for any guitar.
  • Complete kit provides great value for a beginner acoustic player.
• Cons:
  • This is an acoustic-electric guitar, not an electric guitar body or kit, so its direct applicability to electric guitar bodies is limited.
  • The bracing and construction are specific to acoustics and wouldn’t transfer directly to a solid-body electric.
  • Acoustic pickups and EQ are different from electric guitar electronics.
• Best for: Those interested in understanding general guitar body wood properties and how different woods (Spruce, Basswood) contribute to an instrument’s sound, or someone specifically looking for a well-made, full acoustic-electric guitar.

User feedback summary: Players consistently praise the Ashthorpe for its surprisingly rich tone and projection, especially given its affordable price point. The beautiful finish and comfortable thinline design are frequently highlighted, making it a joy to play and carry. Many beginners find it an excellent starter acoustic with features typically found on more expensive models.

Helpful Comparison Insights

When looking for the best electric guitar bodies made from wood, it’s clear we’re dealing with a spectrum of options, from raw planks to complete instruments. If you’re a serious builder aiming for maximum customization, the Generic Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank (American Mahogany) and the Exotic Electric Guitar Body Blank (Khaya/African Mahogany) are your go-to choices. Both offer premium tonewoods, but the American Mahogany is air-dried, giving it a very natural aging process, while the Khaya is kiln-dried, ensuring immediate, consistent stability. The Khaya also comes as a three-piece glued blank, a common practice that can be more stable than a single piece, though some purists prefer a one-piece body. Tonal characteristics are similar – rich, warm, and resonant – but Khaya can sometimes offer a slightly brighter, more articulate top end.

For those who want to build but need a bit more guidance, the Leo Jaymz DIY Electric Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body is a fantastic middle ground. It provides a solid mahogany body that’s already pre-polished and varnished, saving you a huge amount of effort on the finish. This is a crucial distinction from the raw blanks, which require extensive shaping, routing, and finishing from scratch. The kit also includes all the hardware and electronics, making it a complete project where you learn assembly without needing a full woodworking shop. The mahogany body in the kit provides that classic, sought-after warm tone and sustain.

If you’re simply looking for a ready-to-play electric guitar where the body wood is a key feature, the Leo Jaymz 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar with Poplar Body is a great, budget-friendly choice. Its poplar body offers a balanced, neutral tone that takes well to different pickups and playing styles, and it’s generally lighter than mahogany, which can be a big plus for comfort during long sessions. While it’s not a blank or a kit, it lets you experience a specific wood’s characteristics in a complete, playable instrument.

Finally, while the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Thinline Acoustic-Electric isn’t an electric guitar body, its use of Spruce and Basswood beautifully illustrates how different woods contribute to a guitar’s overall sound. Spruce is known for its bright, articulate, and resonant qualities, often found in acoustic tops, and Basswood provides a soft, warm, and balanced tone. Understanding these properties helps you appreciate the sonic palette available in wood, whether for acoustic or electric applications. For electric guitars, woods like Basswood are often used for bodies, prized for their even response and good sustain.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your project: raw blanks for ultimate custom builds, DIY kits for guided assembly with a great base, or complete guitars for direct playability and a specific wood experience. Each offers a unique path to exploring the incredible world of electric guitar bodies made from wood.

Final Verdict: Finding Your Perfect Tonewood Companion

So, what’s the final strum on picking the best electric guitar bodies made from wood? It really boils down to your ambitions as a guitarist or builder.

If you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or an aspiring luthier, craving total control over every curve and contour, a premium body blank like the Generic American Mahogany or the Exotic Khaya is your canvas. These give you the pure, unadulterated essence of the wood, ready for your artistic touch. The choice between air-dried American Mahogany and kiln-dried Khaya largely comes down to subtle tonal preferences and your priority for immediate wood stability – both will yield fantastic results.

For those who love the idea of building their own instrument but want a more streamlined process, the Leo Jaymz DIY Electric Guitar Kit is an absolute winner. It thoughtfully provides a pre-finished mahogany body and all the necessary components, making the journey from parts to playable guitar much more accessible and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic educational tool and results in a genuinely satisfying instrument.

And if you’re primarily a player looking for a complete guitar that highlights a specific body wood, the Leo Jaymz Poplar Body Electric Guitar offers an excellent, affordable entry. It demonstrates how a versatile and comfortable wood like poplar can be the foundation of a great-sounding instrument without breaking the bank.

Even the Ashthorpe Acoustic-Electric, despite being an acoustic, provides a valuable lesson in the tonal properties of Spruce and Basswood – knowledge that subtly influences how we perceive and choose woods for electric guitars.

Ultimately, there’s no single “best.” It’s about finding the wood and the format that aligns with your project, your skill level, and the sonic character you’re chasing. Each of these options offers a unique opportunity to connect with the heart of your electric guitar – its wooden body.

Comprehensive FAQ Section

Q1: What’s the best wood for an electric guitar body for a beginner?
For beginners, a good wood choice balances tone, weight, and cost. Poplar is an excellent option, often found in entry-level complete guitars, offering a balanced tone and lighter weight for comfortable playing. Basswood is another great, affordable choice known for its even response.

Q2: Does the wood type really matter for electric guitar bodies?
Absolutely! While pickups and electronics have a significant impact, the wood type of an electric guitar body plays a crucial role in its overall tone, sustain, and resonance. Different woods (tonewoods) like mahogany, ash, alder, and poplar each contribute unique characteristics to the instrument’s sound profile.

Q3: What’s the difference between air-dried and kiln-dried wood for guitar bodies?
Air-dried wood is seasoned naturally over a longer period, often retaining more natural resonance and character, but can be less consistent in moisture content. Kiln-dried wood is dried in a controlled environment, resulting in very consistent and stable moisture content, making it less prone to warping or cracking, and ready for immediate use. Both methods can produce high-quality electric guitar bodies.

Q4: Can I build an electric guitar from a body blank, and what skills do I need?
Yes, you absolutely can! Building from a body blank offers maximum customization. You’ll need woodworking skills for shaping, routing cavities for pickups and electronics, drilling, sanding, and finishing. Tools like a router, band saw or jigsaw, various sanding tools, and finishing equipment are typically required. It’s a rewarding project for experienced DIYers.

Q5: What woods offer good sustain for electric guitar bodies?
Woods known for excellent sustain include Mahogany (like African or American Mahogany), Ash, and Maple. These denser woods allow vibrations to resonate longer throughout the body, contributing to that desirable long-ringing note.

Q6: Are lighter woods always better for electric guitar bodies?
Not necessarily. Lighter woods like poplar and basswood offer increased comfort, especially for long playing sessions, and can still provide excellent, balanced tone. However, denser, heavier woods like mahogany or ash are often prized for their specific tonal properties, particularly their enhanced sustain and warmth, which some players prefer. It’s a trade-off between comfort and specific tonal characteristics.

Q7: How does body shape impact tone in electric guitars, beyond just the wood?
While the wood is paramount, the body shape can subtly influence an electric guitar’s resonance and sustain. Larger, more resonant shapes (even solid bodies have some resonance) might offer a slightly fuller tone, while smaller, more compact shapes could be punchier. The amount of wood, the curves, and the mass distribution all play a role, though typically less dramatically than the wood type itself or the pickups.