Stewmac kits?
- Thread starter solspirit
- Start date
solspirit
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treyhaislip
Well-known member
I've done 1 kit, a mini Les Paul and I would say worth the price as it is super cheap.
That being said...it needed a lot of fretwork and doesn't intonate 100% (but neither have some Epiphones that I've owned before) plus if it comes pre-wired then I would just start over (pots are extremely cheap.)
Again, over all worth the price as they are really cheap but don't expect anything like a Musikraft or Warmoth–not even Allparts.
That being said...it needed a lot of fretwork and doesn't intonate 100% (but neither have some Epiphones that I've owned before) plus if it comes pre-wired then I would just start over (pots are extremely cheap.)
Again, over all worth the price as they are really cheap but don't expect anything like a Musikraft or Warmoth–not even Allparts.
solspirit
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Low price + mediocre expectations= Contentment.
ErikH
Well-known member
I love my Precision kit guitars. The Les Paul Jr DC is still a work in progress. After the move I haven't been able to get it painted. It's ready for it though.
solspirit
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Pretty much what I was thinking, I definitely wouldn't expect a great instrument but I think it would be fun to work on and improve.
I'd like to put together a Warmoth or one of the better quality "kits" but I'd like to wade into the pool rather than jump in at the 12' end.
Their Strat and Tele kits are pretty good for the price and probably half what you'd pay for a Warmoth kit.
The only guitar kit I bought from StewMac was a LP Jr. guitar. I could have easily made it from scratch, but it was on sale and very cheap and it saved me many hours of designing and routing. Everything about it was really very good except for some included instruction "update" to change the neck angle in the pocket. Big mistake! The original instructions were correct. I ended up adding a shim to get back to the original/correct angle. But that was my fault for just trusting the updated instructions and not checking it myself before routing.
The only guitar kit I bought from StewMac was a LP Jr. guitar. I could have easily made it from scratch, but it was on sale and very cheap and it saved me many hours of designing and routing. Everything about it was really very good except for some included instruction "update" to change the neck angle in the pocket. Big mistake! The original instructions were correct. I ended up adding a shim to get back to the original/correct angle. But that was my fault for just trusting the updated instructions and not checking it myself before routing.
Jeffblue
Well-known member
I bought a SG kit for $130 because it was a closeout deal. It was worth the price I paid except I installed high quality parts, Grover tuners, Seymour Duncan 59/JB pickups, better electronics/wiring and Guitar Fetish roller bridge. The neck heel was a smidge too oversize and the frets are sharp-edged. I use this guitar with open tunings and play slide on this one.
LLL
New member
I've never built one, but they look like a good cheap practice (as in practice building a guitar) kit.
When you want to get serious, go with the ubiquitous:
https://warmoth.com/
When you want to get serious, go with the ubiquitous:
https://warmoth.com/
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
Probably not
I doubt that they are "better", but going Warmoth (and buying all of the components) will end up costing close to $1000. For a build-it-yourself kit, that's way too much in my book.
I think one of the reasons you buy a kit is to learn how to do it and to have some fun building it. Warmoth is an expensive way to do that. For good "replacement" parts for your already good instrument, well yeah, Warmoth is great quality.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
How much more difficult is it compared to Warmoth assembly? Did you finish yourself?
blakejcan
Well-known member
I make my own tele bodies and use warmoth necks. They make amazing necks. Really all you're doing in that case is bolting stuff together. I've never done a glue-in neck with Warmoth.
PGK assembly was crazy easy. Put in glue, shove neck in, clamp it overnight. That's it. All the angles are perfect. Great fretwork. Just the normal wiring & set-up.
I have finished about 6 or 7 bodies over the years all using spray cans from Stewmac or Reranch. If you take your time they can come out quite nice. Taking your time is the really key part. Both with waiting for the nitro (or whatever paint you use) to cure and then the sanding. Endless rounds of very careful wetsanding. If you're new to it, there is a bit of a learning curve.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
There’s no measuring, right? With the tenon fully in the slot it’s ready to intonate? Considering a little and having it professionally finished (in a color like Candy Purple or something that you can’t get outside of the Gibson custom shop).
blakejcan
Well-known member
you legit do nothing other than glue & clamp. All the holes for tuners, bridge, etc. are all there for you. Just put it together. The hardest parts are finishing & wiring.
If you search enough you can find a video that PGK put out showing how to set the neck. It's kinda hilarious cuz that's all it is.......glue it.
If you search enough you can find a video that PGK put out showing how to set the neck. It's kinda hilarious cuz that's all it is.......glue it.
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