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guitarrob
Guest
I am considering building a new guitar from a kit and I was wondering who here has built a guitar from a kit? I know kits vary but how did you find the quality?
loversmoon
New member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
I am also thinking of building a strat. I have looked into mighty mite, warmoth and all parts. Ive also considered getting parts from here and there and building a frankenstrat. So im very interested in knowing where the best quality stuff comes from.
I am also thinking of building a strat. I have looked into mighty mite, warmoth and all parts. Ive also considered getting parts from here and there and building a frankenstrat. So im very interested in knowing where the best quality stuff comes from.
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
I've done a PVX kit. Wood all looks of great quality and the instructions you get are pretty comprehensive from a finishing/painting point of view. As it is a tapered neck joint the gluing stage can't go wrong at all and no clamps are required.
I've got an ongoing issue with a non-functional pickup which has prevented me finishing the guitar to working status, but this is it as far as I go. Weight is a respectable 8lbs 5oz
I've done a PVX kit. Wood all looks of great quality and the instructions you get are pretty comprehensive from a finishing/painting point of view. As it is a tapered neck joint the gluing stage can't go wrong at all and no clamps are required.
I've got an ongoing issue with a non-functional pickup which has prevented me finishing the guitar to working status, but this is it as far as I go. Weight is a respectable 8lbs 5oz
Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
I know the serious builders on this site will laugh, but...
I built a Saga HT-10. This is kind of a budget kit-in-a-box. There's something about the Saga kits that makes me think of those complete guitar setups-in-a-box you can get at T*rget that have a guitar, amp, strap, cable, and picks. The Saga kits are all-inclusive (though unfinished) and come with all wiring pre-soldered. It was not difficult to put together, but the end result of my build was not so exciting that I ever really got around to tweaking it out.
If I were doing it again today, I might opt for a kit that did not include everything, as the included hardware and pickups were not of the best quality and I would probably replace a lot of it if I were more serious about actually playing it. The whole kit cost about as much as you might spend for a body at Warmoth, so I guess I should not have expected too much from the kit.
That being said, the body and neck were not terrible, and I'm sure my "meh" results were as much due to my impatience as any other factors. A friend built a Saga LP clone and put some good effort into painting it. He ended up with a decent sunburst guitar at the end of the day, and it doesn't look like a kit build. So the end result depends largely on your level of patience and your determination to make it good.
I don't regret building it, and I must admit that I've recently been thinking about taking it apart again to finish it correctly and replace the substandard hardware/pickups. Especially when I see threads here by people who take marginal beaters and transform them into great instruments. SDUGF has made me realize that inside even the lamest guitar, there's a screaming monster waiting to be sanded out.
I know the serious builders on this site will laugh, but...
I built a Saga HT-10. This is kind of a budget kit-in-a-box. There's something about the Saga kits that makes me think of those complete guitar setups-in-a-box you can get at T*rget that have a guitar, amp, strap, cable, and picks. The Saga kits are all-inclusive (though unfinished) and come with all wiring pre-soldered. It was not difficult to put together, but the end result of my build was not so exciting that I ever really got around to tweaking it out.
If I were doing it again today, I might opt for a kit that did not include everything, as the included hardware and pickups were not of the best quality and I would probably replace a lot of it if I were more serious about actually playing it. The whole kit cost about as much as you might spend for a body at Warmoth, so I guess I should not have expected too much from the kit.
That being said, the body and neck were not terrible, and I'm sure my "meh" results were as much due to my impatience as any other factors. A friend built a Saga LP clone and put some good effort into painting it. He ended up with a decent sunburst guitar at the end of the day, and it doesn't look like a kit build. So the end result depends largely on your level of patience and your determination to make it good.
I don't regret building it, and I must admit that I've recently been thinking about taking it apart again to finish it correctly and replace the substandard hardware/pickups. Especially when I see threads here by people who take marginal beaters and transform them into great instruments. SDUGF has made me realize that inside even the lamest guitar, there's a screaming monster waiting to be sanded out.
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Oh, and I've also done a Tele that was a combo of a Warmoth body and B.hefner neck. This thing really sings and both companies do a good job with their woods. Hefner I'd say would be more accurate for Vintage Fender shapes/carves and Nitro finishes, Warmoth is good for general/modern guitars with more inexpensive finishing with thin poly.
USAGC is also another option for good woods, but they have less body shapes as options than Warmoth.
Oh, and I've also done a Tele that was a combo of a Warmoth body and B.hefner neck. This thing really sings and both companies do a good job with their woods. Hefner I'd say would be more accurate for Vintage Fender shapes/carves and Nitro finishes, Warmoth is good for general/modern guitars with more inexpensive finishing with thin poly.
USAGC is also another option for good woods, but they have less body shapes as options than Warmoth.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Yes. Last year I build a Precision Guitar Kits SG Jr and shared the whole experience here. It was the first set-neck guitar I ever did and it came out better than expected. Excellent quality woods, very tight neck joint. Couldn't ask for better from a kit, IMO.
All that came with the kit was the wood. I had to get the hardware and electronics elsewhere.
Yes. Last year I build a Precision Guitar Kits SG Jr and shared the whole experience here. It was the first set-neck guitar I ever did and it came out better than expected. Excellent quality woods, very tight neck joint. Couldn't ask for better from a kit, IMO.
All that came with the kit was the wood. I had to get the hardware and electronics elsewhere.
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B Bent
Vibroluxologist
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
NICE, Erik! So how hard was it to do a set neck like this? Could a buffoon like me, with no wood working skills do one of these ya reckon?
Yes. Last year I build a Precision Guitar Kits SG Jr and shared the whole experience here. It was the first set-neck guitar I ever did and it came out better than expected. Excellent quality woods, very tight neck joint. Couldn't ask for better from a kit, IMO.
All that came with the kit was the wood. I had to get the hardware and electronics elsewhere.
NICE, Erik! So how hard was it to do a set neck like this? Could a buffoon like me, with no wood working skills do one of these ya reckon?
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Not a kit guitar as such, but 3 Warmoths now. All worked very well and the wood is top notch. I'm pretty sure anyone with the ability to handle a small drill, a screwdriver and a soldering iron can assemble and set one up, particularly if you get a finished item.
Not a kit guitar as such, but 3 Warmoths now. All worked very well and the wood is top notch. I'm pretty sure anyone with the ability to handle a small drill, a screwdriver and a soldering iron can assemble and set one up, particularly if you get a finished item.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Thanks.
It wasn't that hard. The neck/body joint is so snug that it was impossible to mess it up. I just had to fabricate something to put over the frets so that they didn't get smooshed by the clamps holding it together while the glue dried. Search this forum for my thread on it. It's all documented in there. Lots of patience helps.
Thanks.
It wasn't that hard. The neck/body joint is so snug that it was impossible to mess it up. I just had to fabricate something to put over the frets so that they didn't get smooshed by the clamps holding it together while the glue dried. Search this forum for my thread on it. It's all documented in there. Lots of patience helps.
T
tonello
Guest
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
My brother bought his son a kit from Carvin, and it's a nice kit to get your kid started on customizing and building their own guitars. I'm gonn aget one for my daughter when she turns 10 so that I can finally get her the pink guitar she's always wanted.
My brother bought his son a kit from Carvin, and it's a nice kit to get your kid started on customizing and building their own guitars. I'm gonn aget one for my daughter when she turns 10 so that I can finally get her the pink guitar she's always wanted.
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guitarrob
Guest
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
I think provided you take your time and do great prep and finishing it will probably turn out OK. I have been looking at a kit that includes everything except instructions
I know I will have to get new pups, probably SD's, pots and wiring. I have a very specific wiring and switching system in mind anyway so it will all need to be customized in that respect.
I have been reading up on various finishing methods and some of the finish jobs I have seen have been very nice.
I think provided you take your time and do great prep and finishing it will probably turn out OK. I have been looking at a kit that includes everything except instructions
I know I will have to get new pups, probably SD's, pots and wiring. I have a very specific wiring and switching system in mind anyway so it will all need to be customized in that respect.
I have been reading up on various finishing methods and some of the finish jobs I have seen have been very nice.
tubecrunch
New member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
+1 for warmoth. You can keep it reasonable if you don't go overboard on cosmetics. I splurged on the finish and sent the body to rs Guitarworks because I wanted nitro.
+1 for warmoth. You can keep it reasonable if you don't go overboard on cosmetics. I splurged on the finish and sent the body to rs Guitarworks because I wanted nitro.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
I just want to take a moment to mention USACG alongside Warmoth. I have bought from both, and USACG gave me (way) better quality stuff, at roughly the same price.
That's not an indictment against Warmoth - I am a happy Warmoth customer and would buy from them again.
The body blank and the neck I bought from USACG were both out of this world, though.
That's not an indictment against Warmoth - I am a happy Warmoth customer and would buy from them again.
The body blank and the neck I bought from USACG were both out of this world, though.
jacksontrader
New member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
I've been looking at Carvin's kits for awhile and just haven't pushed myself to buy one. I think I'll try an acoustic kit first. It's something I've wanted to build for a long time.
I've been looking at Carvin's kits for awhile and just haven't pushed myself to buy one. I think I'll try an acoustic kit first. It's something I've wanted to build for a long time.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Never built a guitar but bought some separate pieces from Warmoth and I was very happy with the job they did.
Never built a guitar but bought some separate pieces from Warmoth and I was very happy with the job they did.
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Ditto.....as you said, no problem at all with Warmoth, but USACG is a cut above all the others I've used.
I've been screwing teles, strats and basses together since 1977, (although I've only done 6 or 7 in the last 15 years) and have used bodies and necks from many different manufactures and sources.
The only 'kit' guitar I've ever put together was from Carvin about 8 years ago. It was a fretless bass with active electronics. Top notch quality all the way around. Excellent wood with perfect fit.....finished it with Tru Oil.....put it together for a friend as he wanted a fretless to compliment his Music Man Stingray.
He pretty much set the Sting Ray aside and played the Carvin exclusivley....and I believe that is still the case. I loved that Sting Ray....killer playability and exceptional tone. The Carvin however (even though a fretless and a different beast) held it's own imho. I've talked with a few who have built the Bolts from Carvin and had nothing but good things to say.
Ditto.....as you said, no problem at all with Warmoth, but USACG is a cut above all the others I've used.
I've been screwing teles, strats and basses together since 1977, (although I've only done 6 or 7 in the last 15 years) and have used bodies and necks from many different manufactures and sources.
The only 'kit' guitar I've ever put together was from Carvin about 8 years ago. It was a fretless bass with active electronics. Top notch quality all the way around. Excellent wood with perfect fit.....finished it with Tru Oil.....put it together for a friend as he wanted a fretless to compliment his Music Man Stingray.
He pretty much set the Sting Ray aside and played the Carvin exclusivley....and I believe that is still the case. I loved that Sting Ray....killer playability and exceptional tone. The Carvin however (even though a fretless and a different beast) held it's own imho. I've talked with a few who have built the Bolts from Carvin and had nothing but good things to say.
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
Great truth here Chris....and words of encouragement to those who have yet to build....er, assemble a guitar. The old adage 'If I can do it, anyone can do it' certainly holds true in my case. I had trouble changing a light bulb before I got the partscaster bug. If you're scared, don't be. As Erik said, patience is the key. Plus, going the kit route can be a good starting point for finding out what you do and don't like about certain aspects.
There is something so very satisfying about 'building' (OK, assembling!) your own guitar. Especially when you know what you want and how to spec it out.
Great truth here Chris....and words of encouragement to those who have yet to build....er, assemble a guitar. The old adage 'If I can do it, anyone can do it' certainly holds true in my case. I had trouble changing a light bulb before I got the partscaster bug. If you're scared, don't be. As Erik said, patience is the key. Plus, going the kit route can be a good starting point for finding out what you do and don't like about certain aspects.
There is something so very satisfying about 'building' (OK, assembling!) your own guitar. Especially when you know what you want and how to spec it out.
Psykel
New member
Re: Have you ever built a kit guitar?
That one looks silly good! I checked out Precision Guitar Kits and found a LP Special DC kit I'm considering. 359 dallahs + 40 for TOM fitting (+ shipping to Sweden, which I didn't check the price of).
Yes. Last year I build a Precision Guitar Kits SG Jr and shared the whole experience here. It was the first set-neck guitar I ever did and it came out better than expected. Excellent quality woods, very tight neck joint. Couldn't ask for better from a kit, IMO.
All that came with the kit was the wood. I had to get the hardware and electronics elsewhere.
That one looks silly good! I checked out Precision Guitar Kits and found a LP Special DC kit I'm considering. 359 dallahs + 40 for TOM fitting (+ shipping to Sweden, which I didn't check the price of).
