# DIY Layout Creator or Tinkercaster for guitar wiring?

Canonical page: https://guitarwiring.app/blog/diylc-alternative-for-guitar-wiring

By Tinkercaster · 2026-10-10

DIY Layout Creator (DIYLC) and Tinkercaster both let you draw guitar wiring and check what a circuit does before you solder. DIYLC is a free, open-source desktop program for laying out many kinds of electronics. Tinkercaster is a browser-based workbench built only for guitar wiring. Drawing is free; a paid Pro plan adds AI help and guided builds.

Both are good choices. Which one suits you depends on what else you build, where you want to work, and how much help you want at the bench.

## What DIYLC is

DIYLC is a layout and schematic drawing program by Branislav Stojković, released under the GPL-3.0 licence. You download it for Windows, macOS or Linux. Guitar wiring is one of its uses; builders also use it for stripboard, perfboard and point-to-point layouts for pedals, amps and microcontroller projects.

It is actively developed, with new releases every few weeks. Recent versions include guitar pickups, pots and many lever and toggle switches, an analyser that works out what each switch combination does, a virtual multimeter, an AI assistant and an optional cloud account for sharing projects. Some AI features have paid tiers. Years of guitar layouts made with DIYLC are shared on forums, which is a real advantage when you want to start from someone else’s drawing.

## What Tinkercaster is

Tinkercaster is an online guitar wiring diagram editor and simulator. It runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install. It covers guitar and bass electronics: pickups, pots, switches, capacitors and jacks.

- **Three views of one circuit.** Draw in the wiring view, read the same circuit as a schematic, or look at it in 3D.
- **Simulation and checks.** You can see how the circuit behaves as you change controls and switch positions, and the check list points to connections that need attention.
- **Luthier.** An AI assistant that can see your board. It explains connections and suggests changes that you review before applying.
- **Guided builds.** Tinkercaster turns your saved board into soldering steps with multimeter checks, so you can confirm each stage before moving on.
- **A diagram library.** Hundreds of [checked wiring diagrams](/wiring-diagrams) drawn from pickup makers’ own wiring sheets, with lead colours, switching tables and bench checks. The library and the [component catalog](/catalog) are free to browse.

The editor, simulation, saved boards, share links, downloads and courses are free. You can start drawing without an account and create a free one when you want to save. Luthier and guided builds need [Tinkercaster Pro](/pricing), which costs $8 a month or $60 a year.

## Side by side

| | DIYLC | Tinkercaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free; some AI features are paid | Free to draw, save and share; Pro, $8 a month or $60 a year, adds Luthier and guided builds |
| Runs on | Windows, macOS and Linux desktop | Web browser |
| Scope | Guitar wiring, pedals, amps, boards and more | Guitar and bass wiring only |
| Source | Open source (GPL-3.0) | Closed source |
| Switching analysis | Yes | Simulation across every control and switch position |
| AI help | AI assistant and analyser | Luthier, with context about your board |
| From drawing to soldering | You work from the drawing | Guided builds with meter checks |
| Ready-made diagrams | Community layouts shared online | Library of checked maker diagrams |

## Which to choose

Choose DIYLC if you also build pedals, amps or other projects on stripboard or perfboard, if you want open-source software, or if you prefer a desktop program that works offline.

Choose Tinkercaster if you only wire guitars and basses, want to start from a checked diagram for your exact pickups, would rather work in a browser, or want to be taken through the soldering step by step with meter checks along the way.

Whichever you use, compare the drawing with the parts in your hand before you solder. Check your pickup’s lead colours against the maker’s sheet, and the lugs on your switch against the part itself. Neither program can see your solder joints.

To try the workflow without installing anything, open any diagram from the [wiring diagram library](/wiring-diagrams) in the editor, or read how Tinkercaster takes you [from a wiring diagram to your next solder joint](/blog/from-wiring-diagram-to-soldering).