$400 Guitar Building Challenge

Matt finally got fed up with the other guitar build off events. He decided to take some of his own advice... If you're so smart, start your own contest.

If you’re looking for some excitement, step up to the line: Ready. Set. START BUILDING BABY!The best part is the winner will take home a fat stack of cash!So gear up, make the best guitar you can and bring yourself (or send your guitar) to Denver and...

Go Get That Money!

All the info...

The Details

The Great American Guitar Building Challenge is a open event for guitar builders. It is brought to you by your friends at Texas Toast Guitars.

Toss your ego aside and throw your hat into the ring, you’ll find that it’s a very supportive community.

The only way to embarrass yourself is to be a sore loser.

Contest Will Be Held August 5, 2023

100-dollar entry fee, winner take all!

The Rules

Contestants have a Maximum Budget of $400 USD for all Wood, Hardware, Electronics, Finish etc.

Used parts or parts in inventory can be used but will be assigned a new price value.

Discounts from TTG Sponsors are 100% acceptable and should be considered a "Cheat Code" for buying new parts.

All guitars must be present to be judged, no exceptions.
Contestants are encouraged to show up with their guitar or ship to Flipside Music

Judges will be selected by Matt & Chris from Texas Toast Guitars and Ike From Flipside Music but will not include Matt, Chris or Ike.

Judging Parameters
Concept & Design
Marketability, Appeal, and Production Assessment
Woodwork & Construction Quality
Finish Quality
Sound & Playability
X-Factor

All guitars need to be fully operational because they will all be played by the judges.

Guitars built for other contests are still eligible provided they meet the $400.00 budget requirements.

No Entry cut-off… show up with your guitar and 100 dollars the day of the show and you are in!

The Pro Builder Rules

This category was originally just going to be Matt & Chris but then a few other guys wanted to get in on the action. We decided that would be a pretty good idea. So, if you are a full-time guitar builder here are the rules that apply to you.

Contestants still have a Maximum Budget of $400 USD for all Wood, Hardware, Electronics, Finish etc. Since many Pro-builders have wholesale accounts, a case must be included.

Pro-Builders are not allowed to build Telecasters.

Matt & Chris are not allowed to build a guitar that they already have a template for. We encourage other pro-builders to do this as well but can't exactly enforce it.

Discounts from TTG Sponsors are 100% acceptable and should be considered a "Cheat Code" for buying new parts.

Pro-builder guitars will all be auctioned on the same day, for the same amount of time, with a starting price of $400.00

Pro-builders can donate the all the money to charity donate the proceeds to charity or keep all the money. We really don't care what you do with it as long as the guitar is auctioned off.

The winner of the pro-builder category will be the guitar with the highest USD amount.

Winner will get bragging rights for the next year... If you want to change the rules, want more of a prize etc... Start your own contest.

Prizes and Sponsors

100 bucks to enter, the winner will receive 100% of the entry fees.

That means that if 50 people enter and you win, you take home $5000.00 in cold hard cash!

Not to mention, you get to keep the guitar.

If you want to donate that money to charity you still can.

The Judges

Texas Toast Guitars and The Great American Guitar Building Challenge reserves the right to change or add judges

COMING SOON

Current Participants

Tony Alfano, Marc Arena, Bill Carr, Dave Chenzoff, Pete Davenport, Mike Davis, Bobby Dill, Evan Donovan, Gerry Humphrey, Randy King, Kandle Kulish, Butch Landry, Maxime Lepage, Paul McNary, Rick Molloy, Thomas Norris, Richard Pearson, Gregory Purl, Gary Redburn, Alex Saucet, Doug Seidlitz, Don Siltanen, Jerry Stone, Gary Taft,