GS Guitar Plans
Based on the Taylor GS or Grand Symphony Acoustic Guitar - If you want a great-sounding guitar with perfect balance of both tone and volume, you have to build this one!
Many guitar players refer to this great guitar as a "Mini-Jumbo" guitar. It does not approach the size of the huge jumbo, but more closely resembles the size of a Taylor Grand Auditorium sized instrument.
That similar volume is where the similarity of this guitar to the GA stops as this guitar has more rounded shoulders - especially the upper bout.
A few of the unique features of this guitar are its size of coarse and the use of forward shifted top plate bracing, giving this guitar a great, well-balanced tone and volume.
When we speak of tone and volume, this shape of this guitar gives it some pretty unique tonal qualities and that is what all the buzz about this guitar shape is about.
This guitar will make for a great flatpicking guitar and and unbelievable fingerstyle guitar. If you decide to build it as a fingerstyle guitar however, consider making the neck just a bit wider to satisfy the guitarist. Between 1/16" and 1/8" is usually enough, although you will find that some artists prefer even more.
GS Acoustic Guitar Specifications:
Guitar Dimensions:
Upper Bout: 285.7mm (11 1/4")
Lower Bout: 415mm (16 1/16")
Body Length: 507.4mm (19 31/32")
Scale Length: 645.2mm (25 13/32")
Body Depth At Heel: 91mm (3 19/32")
Body Depth At Butt: 116.4mm (4 19/32")
Additional Features of the GS Guitar Plans:
14-Fret to the Body Neck
1-3/4" Wide Neck at the Nut
Standard Shifted Forward "X" Bracing
Arched Back
Bolt-On Neck Option
Top Brace Templates
Back Brace Templates
Add the GS Guitar Plans to Your Shopping Cart
Add the GS Guitar Template Set Plans to Your Shopping Cart
Add the GS Guitar Inside Form/Workboard Plans to Your Shopping Cart
If you want to find out what is included with each guitar play you order, how you ultimately get the plans and how you can print the digital downloads, please visit our Guitar Building Plans page. You can also click on each image of the slide show to go to the secure shopping cart area to order your plans.
-The Ultimate Guitar OnLine team....
Overall Guitar Plans
The overall plans detail the overall guitar shape, all of the top bracing locaitons and details, bridge locations and dimensions that are required for complete and accurate guitar construction. Scalloping is indicated on the bracing to give you a general overview of how it lays out on the overall plan. Neck and headpiece are also detailed. You receive (4) full-sized plans including Overall Guitar Plan; Guitar Sections and Details; Back Plate Layout and Brace Templates; Top Brace Templates and Bridge Template. - Total cost for the 4 sheets is only $13.49 (digital download)
Guitar Back and Back Bracing
This drawing gives detailed information of the guitar back shape, the back bracing, and scalloping detail at the brace ends, and center seam joint, as well as head and tail block location and configurations. This is part of the Main set of guitar plans.
Guitar Head Stock
This is from the GS Main Guitar Plans. It details the tuning machine locations and dimensions, nut configuration and the neck width - it is actually a part of the overall top layout of the plan - this shows a detail of this portion of the plan.
Building Insructions
We have included some basic guitar building instructions for you to get started. You will certainly want to get more detail than this offers, but look upon to this a giving you some great basic guidance for building your guitar. This is just a small snapshot of the description that is actually on the plans and is part of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Head Stock on the Longitudinal Section
Here is a highlight of the head stock and initial portion of the neck that is from the overall longitudinal section sheet. This is a part of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Guitar Body - Longitudinal Section
Again this is from the guitar sections sheet and details the guitar body that is included with the main guitar plans set. The complete Longitudinal Section shows the complete guitar cut in cross-section at full size, with all the dimensions, details and building notes you will need to make this guitar.
Guitar Body - Lateral Section
This is a snapshop of the Lateral Section through the guitar body. It shows all the dimensions, details and building notes and is drawn at full scale. This is a port of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Bolt-On Neck Detail
The bolt-on neck is very desirable for most guitar players and guitar makers alike. We have complete detailed this joint, provided dimensions and building notes to accurately allow you to construct a bolt-on neck for your guitar if you desire. This detail is on the Plan Sections sheet of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Detail of Guitar Heel and Head Block
This detail is from the Guitar Sections sheet and details the heel portion of the guitar with all notes and dimension. This detail is on the Plan Sections sheet of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Back Brace Diagrams
Detailed templates of all the back braces showing the back arch, the scalloping detail, bracing dimensions, and everything you need to make your bracing for the back plate of the guitar. This is part of the Main GS Guitar Plan set.
Template Sheet
Here we have an overall of the entire template sheet that is available as a separate purchase for the GS guitar plan (only $4.49 digital download). This sheet will give you the side contour template, a template for making your plate shapes and top brace locations, headstock template and more.
Inside Form Plan
The Inside Forms and Work Board is also available as a separate purchase to supplement the GS Guitar Plans and available as a separate purchase (only $7.49 digital download). These plans for the inside form will get you started on the right foot, and if you accuratly and carefully build these forms you will have a tool for life. This form can be used to clamp sides and trim them very precisely, glue head and tail blocks easily, glue linings to the sides, and even glue the and back and top plates into place. I also use mine to rout the purfling channels and fit the guitar neck. This is part of the Inside Form Package for the GS guitar.
Inside Form Side and End Views
This is the second sheet for the GS inside form package. Additionally you have a couple different options for making your form gates for neck attachment and closures at the tail block to hold the for very stable during construction. Alternate details supplied.
GS Workboard
This is a must have tool for making the Grand Symphony Guitar Shape. It is easy to make, accurate and again will be a tool for life is you take your time in constructing it. Use it to glue your purfling and binding to your guitar. This sheet comes as part of the Inside Form Package set of plans for the GS Guitar.
Just a note about these plan snapshots...These are a LOT lower resolution than the actual plans exhibit. Original plans are crystal clear, easy to follow, and are all full-sized drawings. These snapshots are intended to only give you an overview of content that is actually on the plans. Also be aware that the above slide show showcases (3) separate plans that are available (as digital downloads, available instantly)being:
GS Main Guitar Plans ($13.49)
GS Template Set Plans ($4.49)
GS Inside Form/Work Board Plans ($7.49)
