If you own a lot of guitars, you’ll know all too well how quickly they can create clutter in a room. Whether they’re on the floor or a piece of furniture, you can never seem to find the right spot to put them. Enter guitar stands, a designated spot to keep your instrument, but floor stands are still somewhat in the way, and you’ll likely stub your toe on them on more than one occasion, so is there a way to make a wall-mounted guitar stand?
To make a wall-mounted guitar stand, you need to decide what kind of wall mount you want to use. Then, buy the supplies to make it, cut everything to size, attach the pieces, and mount it onto the wall. Once finished, you can put your guitar onto your new wall-mounted guitar stand.
In this article, we will discuss different types of wall mounts, give you step-by-step instructions on how you can make your own wall-mounted guitar stand, and how to mount your guitar to a wall the correct way. So let’s get started, shall we?
If you want to find out what my recommended guitar gear is, then here is what I recommend on Amazon:
- Fender Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle (MY FAVORITE GUITAR)
- Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner (Easiest Tuner I’ve Used)
- 6 String Acoustic Guitar Capo (Best CAPO for quick changes)
- Dunlop Max Grip 1.0mm Nylon Picks (Thick Guitar Pick So You Don’t Lose Grip!)
- Universal Guitar Stand (Cheap & Minimalist Guitar Stand I Recommend)
- Levy’s 2″ Wide Quick Adjust Guitar Strap (Best Guitar Strap For Any Level)
Different Types of Wall Mounts for Your Guitar
When deciding to mount your guitar onto your wall, there are a couple of factors you’ll need to consider. One of those factors is the type of wall mount you’re going to use to mount your guitar. There are many different designs and types of guitar mounts on the market, making deciding on the right one difficult. We’re going to help make your decision a bit easier by briefly going over each of the mount types and what they are used for.
Basic Wall Mount
These wall mounts are the most common type of wall mount and also the most inexpensive kind. These wall mounts are just two rods that stick out and hold your guitar’s headstock in place.
Though these are inexpensive wall mounts, they are still high-quality and will last for many years. You can also use this type of wall mount for almost every type of guitar but may have some issues holding a guitar with a wider neck or one that is quite heavy. However, if you have many guitars to hang, this cost-effective option may be the one for you.
Locking Wall Mount
A locking wall mount is quite similar to a basic wall mount in design; it also has two rods that hold the headstock of your guitar; however, it also has a locking mechanism at the ends of the rods that stops your guitar from sliding forward and falling off of the rods. It also helps stop the guitar from falling off the mount if someone knocks into it by accident.
These wall mounts can also be used on various guitars and recently have also become compatible with thinner neck instruments like ukuleles and mandolins. However, these wall mounts are generally more expensive than other wall mounts available on the market.
Horizontal/Angled Wall Mount
Most mounted guitars you come across are hung vertically from the wall, but it is possible to mount your guitar horizontally or at an angle. This mounting style makes your guitars look more like an art piece rather than just a practical storage solution, especially if you have more than one guitar mounted in this manner. They work well for acoustic and electric guitars because the guitar body is slim enough to lean back slightly against the wall.
These mounts have one hook that holds up your guitar’s neck and two more hooks that support the guitar’s body. These are some of the most versatile because you can mount yours at virtually any angle (perhaps just not upside-down). However, if you feel that the hook holding the neck of the guitar is not secure enough, you can easily swap it out with a back or locking wall mount for extra safety.
This mount can hold virtually any kind of guitar, as it distributes the guitar’s weight evenly and can be adjusted to the exact size of your guitar. However, they do take up more space on your wall, so they may not be the best option if you have a small room or a lot of guitars to mount.
3D Printed Mounts
The development in technology in recent years has led to the ability to make virtually any object you want using 3D printing. And wall mounts for guitars are no exception to this. With this new technology, it is possible to print your own custom wall mounts (or have someone else print them for you if you don’t happen to own a 3D printer).
You can also find many already designed 3D print wall mounts online, and often, you’ll be able to download their design files for free to print them yourself. This is a great way to make your wall mounts really unique and interesting to look at, as well as functional for their purpose.
However, these wall mounts need to be printed correctly and using the right materials and settings; otherwise, they will not last as time passes. Make sure to use the right settings for these wall mounts, or pay a knowledgeable person to create and even print them for you.
Most of these wall mounts work the same way that a basic wall mount works, but you could also print a wall mount that works like a locking wall mount or even an angled wall mount. The possibilities really are endless.
Frames and Boxes
If you own a lot of guitars and have a professional recording space or have a cool vintage guitar you want to show off, then mounting your guitar(s) in frames or boxes may be the best option for you. This type of wall mount will keep your guitar secure, free from dirt and dust that can accumulate over time, all while showcasing it spectacularly.
There are many ways these boxes can be made. Most are made of wood with a glass from, but some have a metal frame and glass front or are entirely made of glass. Some people even add special lighting to the inside of the box to highlight the guitar inside. Any of these options will add a unique touch to the way you mount your guitar; however, each of them will also come at a particular cost.
This is undoubtedly one of the most expensive ways to mount your guitar, but the results look great. Usually, these kinds of mounts have basic or locking wall mounts inside the decorative cabinet to showcase the guitar.
Now that we’ve gone over the types of mounts you can use to mount your guitar to the wall, let’s go through how you can make each of them at home.
As we have discussed previously, there are many different types of wall mounts available for mounting your guitar, and luckily, you can make all of them at home relatively easily. So we will now give you step-by-step instructions for how to make each of the above-mentioned wall mounts.
How to Make a Basic Wall Mount For Your Guitar
The basic wall mount is the most straightforward kind of wall mount to make from scratch, and we’re going to give you step-by-step instructions for one method.
What You’ll Need
- 12 inch (~30 cm) 1 x 4 (2.5 x 10 cm) board
- Mitre saw
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- 1 ¼ inch (~35 mm) screws
- 2 inch (~50 mm) screws
- Screwdriver
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Wood sealant
- Wood stain (optional)
Procedure
- First, cut the wood board into 7 ½ inches (~ 20 cm), and 4 ½ inches (~ 10 cm) pieces using your miter saw. You can also have the board cut for you at the place you bought it from.
- Next, cut out the shape for your guitar’s neck in the 4 ½ inch board using a jigsaw. Make the end of the slot’s width for the headstock slightly larger than the guitar’s neck but smaller than the width of the headstock.
- Then make the slot entrance slightly wider than the depth of the guitar’s neck (a.k.a. when it’s turned sideways). The slot will somewhat resemble a round-bottom flask.
- Sand both pieces of wood to get rid of any rough wood that may splinter off and give it a rounded-off look.
- Screw the two pieces together by first placing the shorter piece on top of the longer piece at a 90° angle. Then use your drill to pre-drill two holes where you want them to go. Use a screwdriver to screw the two pieces together with the 1 ¼ inch screws. Before you mount it, give it a coat of sealant (and stain if you want to) to protect the wood from wear-and-tear.
- After the stain and sealant have dried, you can drill the mount into your wall using the 2-inch screws and some screw plugs. Later in this article, we’ll go over how to mount your guitar correctly.
Alternatively, here’s a video you can watch that will show you how to make a basic guitar wall mount if you aren’t so savvy with power tools:
How to Make a Locking Wall Mount For Your Guitar
A locking wall mount is another easy DIY wall mount but is slightly more secure than a basic wall mount. For this mount, you can follow the same steps to make the basic wall mount, but we’re going to add something extra at the end.
What You’ll Need
- Drill with 1 ¼ drill bit
- 1-inch wide dowel cut to 5 inches (~12 cm)
Procedure
- Follow the steps listed previously on how to make a basic guitar wall mount.
- Once you’ve finished the wall mount, use your drill to drill holes on opposite sides of the slot, just before the slot gets wider.
- Check to see that the dowel fits through comfortably; if not, you’ll have to drill the hole a bit wider.
- Stain or seal the dowel so it matches the rest of the mount, and drill the mount into the wall you want to mount your guitar onto.
How to Make a Horizontal/Angled Wall Mount For Your Guitar
Making an angled wall mount is also relatively uncomplicated but can produce excellent results. Follow this step-by-step tutorial if you want to make yourself one of these mounts.
What You’ll Need
- Mitre saw
- Drill and appropriate drill bit
- 25 inch (~ 63 cm) 1 x 4 wood board
- 3 heavy-duty square hooks
- 5 x 2-inch screws
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Wood sealant (stain optional)
- Screwdriver
Procedure
- First, cut the wood board into two pieces; 10 inches (25 cm) and 15 inches (38 cm).
- Pre-drill the holes for the hooks that will hold the guitar in the wood boards. On the longer board, drill two holes, both 1 ½ inches in from the sides, and one in the center on the shorter board.
- Sand the wood and then coat it with a layer of wood sealant.
- Screw the hooks into the wood boards.
- Now you can mount the two boards onto the wall you want to hang your guitar on at the angle that you want so that one of the hooks can support the neck of the guitar and the board with two hooks supports the body of the guitar.
How to Make a 3D Printed Wall Mount For Your Guitar
Using a 3D printed wall mount to hang your guitar on a wall is one of the easiest ways of DIY mounting since the machine that prints the mount essentially does all the work for you. Designing the mount also takes time and effort, but if you are a skilled 3D designer (or know someone), that part shouldn’t be too difficult.
As we mentioned before, it is crucial that when printing your 3D mount, you use the right materials and printer settings; otherwise, the mount will not last for very long under the strain of holding up your guitar. Once you’ve got your 3D printed mount, it’s time to hang it on the wall.
What You’ll Need
- 3D printed mount
- Mounting plate
- Drill
- 1 ⅜ screw (35mm)
- 2 x 2-inch (50 mm) screws with wall plugs
- Screwdriver
Procedure
- Once you have your 3D printed mount, you’ll need to attach the mounting plate to the back.
- Place your mounting plate on the back of the mount and mark out where the screws need to go.
- Use an appropriate size drill bit to pre-drill the holes for the screws.
- Place the mounting plate on the mount and secure it in place using the 1 ⅜ screws.
- Next, hang the mounting plate on your wall using the 2-inch screws to keep it secure.
How to Make a Box/Frame Wall Mount For Your Guitar
If you want to display one (or more) of your guitars, and you’re a handy woodworker, then you can easily make a box wall mount from scratch.
What You’ll Need
- 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick wood board
- Backing board
- Mitre saw
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Glass pane (cut to size and framed)
- Interlocking cleat hanging strip
- 2 x hinges
- Magnetic door lock (small)
- 1 ⅜ inch (35 mm) screws
- 2-inch (50 mm) screws with wall plugs
- Wood glue
- Upholstery foam ½ inch (1.25 cm) – 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick
- Your choice of fabric
- Staple gun
- Basic guitar wall mount
Procedure
- Cut your 1-inch board to size, using a 45° angle at the ends. Make sure to get a board that is wider than the guitar you want to mount to make sure it will fit inside the box. As for length and width, you should leave at least a 2-inch allowance on all sides of your guitar.
- Once that’s done, you can cut your backing board to the same dimensions and have the glass pane you want to use as the door cut to size and framed. This will make it easier for you; otherwise, you’ll need to make the frame from scratch too.
- Stick your cut board pieces together using wood glue, then use 2 of the 1 ⅜ inch screws in each corner to permanently join the pieces.
- Next, cut your upholstery foam to size (measure the inside of the box you just made).
- Stick the upholstery foam to the backing board and cover it in your chosen fabric. Make sure to keep the fabric pulled taut as you wrap it around the backing board and secure it in place with the staple gun. Then you can cut off the excess fabric from the back.
- Screw the basic guitar mount into the upholstery foam and backing board.
- Slot the box backing (i.e., the upholstered backing board) into the box frame and screw it into place with some more 1 ⅜ screws.
- Attach one half of the interlocking cleat to the back of the box.
- Screw the hinges and one part of the magnetic door lock to the glass door of your cabinet box.
- Attach the other part of the door lock, and connect the door to the box by securing the hinges to the inside of your box.
- Secure the other half of the interlocking cleat to your wall and hang your guitar fox mount on it.
Now that we’ve shown you how to make various types of wall mounts, we’ll talk over some tips for mounting your guitar to the wall correctly.
How to Mount Your Guitar to the Wall Properly
Mounting anything to the wall can be a trivial task. Still, when it comes to mounting your guitar, you need to be extra careful because not only is your guitar worth a lot of money, it is also heavier than most other things you’d usually mount to a wall (i.e., a picture frame or a painting). So, here are some things you need to know when mounting your guitar to a wall.
First, never mount a guitar into drywall. Drywall is not strong enough to hold the guitar’s weight and support the change in applied force from taking your guitar off the mount and putting it back on. Thus you should always mount your guitar into a brick or concrete wall or the stud behind your drywall.
Always use a wall plug (sometimes also called mounting anchors) when mounting your guitar. They apply a force to the medium they have been screwed into and create a stable and secure joint for mounting things onto. If you mount your guitar using just screws without wall plugs, there is always a chance that they might pull out of the wall.
However, with wall plugs, the screws will only ever come out of the wall if what you’re mounting is too heavy for them to hold up, and they can hold up a LOT of weight.
How to Make a Wall Mount For Your Guitar Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways of making a wall mount for your guitar, and the type that you choose will all depend on how much space you have and for what purpose you want to mount your guitar. If you have any trouble mounting your guitar, don’t be ashamed to hire someone to help you do it.
How to Make a Wall Mount For Your Guitar FAQs
What can I use to hang my guitar on the wall?
You can use a guitar wall hanger, which is specifically designed to securely hold a guitar on the wall. There are various types of guitar wall hangers available, such as screw-in hangers, adhesive hangers, and suction cup hangers. It’s important to choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar.
Is it OK to wall mount a guitar?
Yes, it is generally safe to wall mount a guitar as long as you use a high-quality guitar wall hanger and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. It’s also important to make sure that the wall you’re mounting the guitar on is sturdy enough to support the weight of the hanger and the guitar.
Is it safe to hang guitars on drywall?
It’s generally safe to hang a guitar on drywall as long as you use an appropriate guitar wall hanger and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. However, it’s important to make sure that the drywall is properly anchored to the wall studs to ensure that the hanger and guitar are securely attached to the wall.
How do you hang a guitar on the wall without a stand?
You can use a guitar wall hanger that attaches directly to the wall without the need for a stand. There are various types of guitar wall hangers available, such as screw-in hangers, adhesive hangers, and suction cup hangers. It’s important to choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar.
Do wall hangers damage guitars?
If installed and used properly, guitar wall hangers should not damage guitars. However, it’s important to choose a high-quality hanger that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar, and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Why do people hang guitars on the wall?
People hang guitars on the wall for various reasons, including to save space, to display their guitars, and to make them easily accessible for playing. Hanging a guitar on the wall can also be a stylish and decorative way to showcase your instrument.
Is it better to hang or stand a guitar?
Both hanging and standing a guitar are acceptable ways to store and display your instrument. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and the available space in your home or studio.
How much weight can a guitar wall hanger hold?
The weight capacity of a guitar wall hanger depends on the specific hanger and the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s important to choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar.
How can I display my guitar at home?
You can display your guitar at home using a guitar stand, a guitar wall hanger, or a guitar case stand. It’s important to choose a display method that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar and that complements the style of your home decor.
What not to do with a guitar?
Some things to avoid when handling or storing a guitar include exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity, leaving it in direct sunlight, leaning it against a wall without proper support, and using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean it.
Do guitar stands damage guitars?
If used properly, guitar stands should not damage guitars. However, it’s important to choose a high-quality stand that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar, and to avoid leaning the guitar against the stand or other objects.
How do you hang a guitar without drilling?
You can hang a guitar without drilling by using an adhesive guitar wall hanger or a suction cup guitar wall hanger. It’s important to choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight and size of your guitar and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
If you want to find out what my recommended guitar gear is, then here is what I recommend on Amazon:
- Fender Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle (MY FAVORITE GUITAR)
- Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner (Easiest Tuner I’ve Used)
- 6 String Acoustic Guitar Capo (Best CAPO for quick changes)
- Dunlop Max Grip 1.0mm Nylon Picks (Thick Guitar Pick So You Don’t Lose Grip!)
- Universal Guitar Stand (Cheap & Minimalist Guitar Stand I Recommend)
- Levy’s 2″ Wide Quick Adjust Guitar Strap (Best Guitar Strap For Any Level)