Making A Wooden Guitar Stand: Genius DIY Plans

Quick Summary:
Making a wooden guitar stand is a fun and rewarding DIY project! This guide offers genius, beginner-friendly plans to build a sturdy, stylish stand for your guitar using common tools and materials. Learn to protect your instrument and show it off proudly with a custom wooden rack.

Hey there, fellow woodworkers and guitar lovers! Jack Shaffer here from Nailerguy. Is your guitar leaning against a wall, looking a bit precarious? Or maybe it’s stashed away in its case when you really want to admire it? Building your own wooden guitar stand is a fantastic solution. It’s a project that’s surprisingly achievable, even for beginners, and it adds a beautiful, handmade touch to your space. You don’t need a fancy workshop to create something truly special. We’ll guide you through simple plans that will have your guitar resting safely and stylishly in no time.

This project is a great way to hone your woodworking skills. You’ll learn about selecting wood, making precise cuts, and assembling pieces for a strong and attractive finish. Ready to give your beloved instrument the stand it deserves? Let’s dive into how we can craft a genius wooden guitar stand together, step by step!

Table of Contents

Why Build Your Own Wooden Guitar Stand?

There are plenty of guitar stands out there you can buy, but building your own offers some unique advantages. For starters, it’s often more budget-friendly than purchasing a high-quality stand. You control the materials, so you can choose beautiful hardwoods that complement your home decor, or use reclaimed wood for a rustic charm. Plus, there’s immense satisfaction in creating something functional and beautiful with your own two hands. It’s a chance to practice essential woodworking skills like measuring, cutting, and joining, all while creating a practical item.

A DIY stand is also fully customizable. You can design it to fit your specific guitar type – whether it’s an acoustic, electric, or bass – ensuring a perfect, snug fit. You can also adjust the height and width to suit your needs and space. And honestly, nothing beats the personal touch of a handmade item displayed in your home or studio. It’s a conversation starter and a testament to your craftsmanship!

Choosing Your Wood: The Foundation of Your Stand

The wood you choose will significantly impact the look, durability, and cost of your guitar stand. For beginners, it’s often best to start with softer woods that are easier to cut and shape, like pine or poplar. These are readily available, affordable, and take finishes well. However, if you’re looking for a more premium look and feel, hardwoods like oak, maple, or walnut are excellent choices.

When selecting your lumber, look for straight boards with minimal knots or imperfections. Warped or twisted wood will make your project much more difficult and can compromise the stability of the stand. Always inspect the wood carefully at the lumberyard or hardware store. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance!

Pine: The Beginner’s Best Friend

Pine is a softwood that is forgiving and easy to work with. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and widely available in various dimensions. It’s perfect for first-time projects and can be stained or painted to achieve almost any look.

Oak: Durability and Classic Style

Oak is a classic hardwood known for its strength and beautiful grain patterns. It’s a bit harder to work with than pine but offers fantastic durability and a timeless aesthetic. Oak stains beautifully, showing off its natural character.

Maple: Strength and Smoothness

Maple is another strong hardwood, often chosen for its light color and incredibly smooth grain. It’s very durable and can be finished to a glassy sheen or stained for a different effect. It holds up well to frequent use.

Walnut: Richness and Elegance

For a truly luxurious look, walnut is an excellent choice. It has a rich, deep color and beautiful, varied grain. Walnut is strong and stable, but it is also more expensive than other options.

Essential Tools for Building Your Guitar Stand

You don’t need a professional workshop to make a fantastic wooden guitar stand. Most of these projects can be completed with basic hand tools or a few power tools common in a DIYer’s arsenal. Safety first, always! Make sure you have appropriate safety gear like safety glasses and work gloves.

Must-Have Tools:

Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.
Pencil: For marking your cuts.
Hand Saw or Power Saw: A miter saw or circular saw will make cuts faster and more precise, but a good hand saw can get the job done. For help choosing, check out our guide on best beginner saws for DIY projects.
Drill and Drill Bits: For creating pilot holes and driving screws.
Screwdriver or Drill with Screwdriver Bits: To assemble the pieces.
Clamps: Essential for holding pieces together while glue dries and for assembly.
Sandpaper: Various grits (e.g., 80, 120, 220) for smoothing the wood before finishing.
Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes!
Work Gloves: Protect your hands.

Optional (but Helpful) Tools:

Orbital Sander: Speeds up the sanding process considerably.
Jigsaw: Useful for cutting curves if your design involves them.
Wood Glue: Adds extra strength to your joints.
Wood File or Rasp: For shaping edges.

Genius DIY Plan: The Classic A-Frame Wooden Guitar Stand

This A-frame design is a tried-and-true favorite for a reason. It’s incredibly stable, relatively simple to build, and looks great. We’ll break down the plan into manageable steps.

Materials List:

1×4 lumber (length depends on your desired stand height and depth)
1×2 lumber (for bracing and support, optional but recommended)
Wood screws (appropriate length for your wood thickness, e.g., 1 1/4 inch)
Wood glue (optional, for added strength)
Sandpaper (various grits)
Wood finish (stain, polyurethane, oil, etc.)
Optional: Felt or rubber padding for where the guitar contacts the stand.

Cutting the Wood (Measurements are suggestions, adjust as needed):

For a standard acoustic guitar stand, you might need:

Two (2) pieces of 1×4 for the legs: 30 inches long.
Two (2) pieces of 1×4 for the crossbars: 12 inches long.
One (1) piece of 1×4 for the neck support: 6 inches long.
One (1) piece of 1×2 for the bottom brace: 10 inches long (this connects the two legs at the bottom for stability).

Step-by-Step Assembly:

Step 1: Cut Your Pieces

Using your measuring tape and saw, carefully cut all the wood pieces to the lengths specified above (or your adjusted measurements). Accuracy here makes assembly much easier!

Step 2: Prepare the Legs

Take the two 30-inch 1×4 leg pieces. You’ll need to cut a slight angle at the top of each leg where they will meet. A 15-degree angle is usually sufficient. This allows them to form a stable A-frame and sit flush against each other at the peak.

Step 3: Assemble the A-Frame

Lay the two leg pieces on a flat surface, angled correctly at the tops. Bring the angled tops together. Now, take your two 12-inch 1×4 crossbar pieces. These will connect the legs about a third of the way down from the top. Position one crossbar on the inside of the legs, 10-12 inches down from the point where they meet. Use wood glue (if desired) and screws to attach the crossbar to both legs. Drill pilot holes first to prevent the wood from splitting. Repeat with the second crossbar a few inches below the first, creating a wider base for stability.

Tip: For maximum stability, ensure the crossbars are perfectly level and square to the legs.

Step 4: Add the Neck Support

Take the 6-inch piece of 1×4. This will be your neck support. Position it horizontally across the front of the two legs, just below the top point where the two legs meet. It should be narrow enough to cradle the neck of your guitar. Attach it securely with glue and screws, again drilling pilot holes.

Step 5: Reinforce with the Bottom Brace

Attach the 10-inch 1×2 piece across the back of the two legs, near the bottom. This brace prevents the legs from splaying out too much and adds significant stability to the entire stand. Make sure it’s level and securely fastened.

Step 6: Sanding for a Smooth Finish

Now, it’s time to make your stand look professional! Start by sanding all surfaces and edges with coarse-grit sandpaper (like 80 or 120 grit) to remove any saw marks or rough spots. Then, move to a medium grit (like 120 or 150) to smooth things out further. Finally, use a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) for a super smooth finish that’s ready for staining or painting. Pay special attention to edges and corners.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Wipe away all the dust from sanding. Apply your chosen wood finish according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This could be stain, paint, polyurethane, or a natural oil finish. Multiple thin coats are usually better than one thick coat. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next. You might want to add clear packing tape or felt pads to the neck support and where the guitar body rests to protect the instrument’s finish.

Helpful Resource: Learn more about choosing the right wood finishes for your DIY projects from this industry guide.

Alternative Design: The Simple Guitar Rack

If you prefer a more minimalist approach or have limited space, a simple wall-mounted guitar rack is another excellent DIY option. This involves fewer parts and less complex joinery.

Materials List for Guitar Rack:

A nice piece of hardwood (e.g., 1×4 or 1×6), about 12-18 inches long (this will be the wall mount)
Two (2) thinner pieces of wood (e.g., 1×2 or 3/4 inch thick dowel), about 6-8 inches long (for the guitar supports/arms)
Wood screws
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Wood finish
Optional: Felt or rubber padding
Mounting hardware (screws/anchors appropriate for your wall type)

Assembly Steps for Guitar Rack:

Step 1: Cut and Shape Support Arms

Cut your two thinner pieces of wood (or dowels) to your desired length. You can cut a slight angle on the end that will face upwards to cradle the guitar’s body better. Sand them smooth.

Step 2: Prepare the Wall Mount Piece

Cut your main hardwood piece (1×4 or 1×6) to your desired length (12-18 inches). Sand it smooth. You can add a decorative edge if you like.

Step 3: Mark and Attach Support Arms

On the front face of the wall mount piece, mark where you want the support arms to attach. These should be spaced apart to support the guitar’s body. A common placement is about 4-6 inches from the bottom edge and spaced about 6-8 inches apart. Drill pilot holes, apply wood glue to the ends of the support arms, and screw them securely into the wall mount piece from the back.

Safety Note: Always ensure you are drilling into the wall mount piece and not through it when attaching the arms. Use screws that are long enough to provide a strong hold but not so long that they poke out the front.

Step 4: Sand and Finish

Sand the entire assembled rack thoroughly, just like in the A-frame plan. Apply your chosen wood finish. Consider adding felt or rubber padding to the top of the support arms to protect your guitar’s finish.

Step 5: Mount to the Wall

This is a crucial step for safety! Locate wall studs using a stud finder for the most secure mounting. If studs aren’t available in the desired location, use appropriate heavy-duty wall anchors designed for your wall type (drywall anchors, masonry anchors, etc.). Ensure you are complying with safe mounting practices as outlined by manufacturers like The Home Depot’s guide to finding wall studs.

Attach the rack to the wall using sturdy screws through the wall mount piece. Ensure it is level and feels very secure. A wobbly rack is a hazard!

Table: Wood Type Comparison for Guitar Stands

Here’s a quick look at how different wood types stack up for your project:

Wood Type	Pros	Cons	Ease of Working	Cost
Pine	Affordable, lightweight, easy to cut and finish, readily available.	Softer, can dent/scratch easily, knots can be challenging.	Very Easy	Low
Oak	Strong, durable, beautiful grain, classic look.	Harder to cut, can be heavier, more expensive than pine.	Medium	Medium
Maple	Very strong, smooth finish, light color, durable.	Can be difficult to stain evenly, harder to work with than pine, higher cost.	Medium-Hard	Medium-High
Walnut	Rich, elegant color, beautiful grain, strong and stable.	Most expensive option, can be harder to work with, darker color might not suit all decor.	Medium-Hard	High

Tips for Success and Customization

No matter which design you choose, here are some tips to make your project even better:

Measure Twice, Cut Once: This old adage is key in woodworking. Double-check all your measurements before you make any cuts.
Pilot Holes Are Your Friend: Always drill pilot holes for screws, especially in hardwoods or near the ends of boards. This prevents splitting and makes driving screws easier.
Edge Banding/Decorative Edges: For a more polished look, you can use a router to round over the edges of your stand pieces. This makes them feel much more professional and comfortable to handle.
Guitar-Specific Fit: Consider the width of your guitar neck and the spacing of its body. Adjust the dimensions of the stand or rack accordingly. For electric guitars, you might need slightly narrower supports than for an acoustic.
Padding is Key: Always add some form of soft padding (felt, foam, rubber strips) where your guitar makes contact with the stand. This protects the instrument’s finish from scratches and dings. You can purchase adhesive felt strips or cut small pieces of foam.
Stability Testing: Once assembled, put it to the test! Gently place your guitar on the stand and apply slight pressure to ensure it feels stable and secure. Make any necessary adjustments.
Aesthetic Touches: Consider adding decorative elements like carved details, contrasting wood inlays, or unique joinery if you’re feeling more adventurous.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I ensure my wooden guitar stand is sturdy enough?

A: For A-frame stands, use robust joinery with wood glue and screws, and include cross bracing at the top and bottom. For wall-mounted racks, the strength comes from secure mounting into wall studs or using appropriate heavy-duty anchors. Always test stability before leaving your guitar unattended.

Q2: What type of wood is best for a beginner?

A: Pine or poplar are excellent choices for beginners. They are soft, easy to cut and sand, inexpensive, and readily available. They also accept finishes well, allowing you to achieve a great look even with basic woodworking skills.

Q3: How wide should the neck support be?

A: For most acoustic guitars, a 1×4 (which is actually about 3.5 inches wide) is a good size for the neck support. For electric guitars, a slightly narrower piece or a well-shaped 1×2 might be more appropriate. Ensure it provides stable cradle without being too tight.

Q4: Can I make a stand that holds multiple guitars?

A: Absolutely! You can adapt these plans to create larger A-frame stands with wider bases and more support arms, or build a longer wall-mounted