How to Build a Custom Guitar Hero Controller out of Hardwood

Drafting

Choose a style of guitar that you would like to duplicate.

Find a standard guitar hero controller that you can use to donate the electronics from.

Measure, Measure, Measure!!! Remove all the internal controls and measure so that your custom controller can use the standard electronics.

Create a rough sketch of how you want your guitar to look by using the dimensions obtained from the measurements in the previous step.

Use a large piece of paper or cardboard to create a 1:1 template of all the pieces of your guitar.

The Neck

Find a piece of wood that is larger then your template and the desired thickness.

Using a pencil, transfer the template onto the piece of wood.

Use a band saw or a coping saw to cut the shape out of the piece of wood.

Using a router create a pocket-slot for the electronics and wiring.

For the faux tuners, anything you think can work will suffice: paint, drill holes, use bolts (stainless steel button head screws were used here).

To create the radius on the edges use the router.

Sand the piece to the desired finish and shape.

The Fret Board

Find a piece of wood that is larger then your template and the desired thickness.

Using a pencil, transfer the template onto the piece of wood.

Use a band saw or coping saw to cut out the shape of the exterior.

Drill small pilot holes so that the holes can be cut out easily.

Use a jewelers say or a jigsaw to cut out each buttonhole.

Sand the piece to the desired finish and shape.

The Body

Find a piece of wood that is larger than your template and the desired thickness.

Using a pencil, transfer the template onto the piece of wood.

Use a band saw or coping saw to cut out the shape of the exterior.

Using a router create a pocket-slot for the electronics, wiring and neck attachment.

Create the radius on the edges using the router.

Sand the piece to the desired finish and shape.

Assembly and Finish

Begin by attaching the neck to the body with either wood glue or wood screws.

Fasten all of the electronics in place within the neck and body.

Place all 5 buttons within the buttonholes.

Fasten the fret board to the neck using small wood screws.

Apply polyurethane to every surface in which you want the wood to shine.

Let the wood dry overnight to ensure a good finish.