Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

[ex-250]

I have never sold an instrument. The thought makes me slightly uncomfortable. But I'm thinking about dumping almost half my guitars so I have an ample cash cushion for doing a Precision Kit SG Jr. like this...

I've wanted to do an SG Jr. kit for a while now, but I could never settle on the finish. First I wanted to try my hand at a graphic, then I just wanted to do natural, and I'm sure I wanted to do traditional red at like 4 different stages along the way. But this is the first one I've made on the mockup site that I'm just unanimously behind. And I don't even like gold hardware most of the time.


I'd also be tempted to splurge on one of these...

But I'm not sure it'd be worth the use it would get. Also if I'm going to go through the hassle of a burst (having never painted a guitar), I might not want to cover it up. Or maybe I'll paint it first and if it looks ****ty I'll cover it up.



Why am I posting this? I don't know. I just need something to do during commercials on wrestling.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

It's an expensive way to end up with a $200 guitar.

I've always thought the best idea would be to buy a Gibson Faded or SGJ model, then fine sand it and spray it with a cool color. You end up doing an easy project, but have a Gibson in the end.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

Oh? I thought the Precision kits were pretty well-regarded.


Either way its time to thin the herd.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

They are well regarded. Its just like buying a Carvin or Hamer new, or a MIJ Les Paul. Its great stuff, but only worth 1/3 whatever you put into it.... if you are lucky.

Kits, just like partscasters, are a gamble. I would rather try something before I buy if I have no option of returning it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

If it's something you plan on keeping forever, then go for it. 3 of my guitars are parts or a kit. One of them is a Precision Guitars Kits SG Jr and I shared the entire process here. The thread is still somewhere in this room. It came out so much better than I had anticipated. One word that you must live and breathe during the process......... patience.

I have the process of mine with photos on my web site too. http://www.erikhansen.net/pgksgjr.php

I gotta tell ya, the guitar SCREAMS! The action is fantastic (did my own setup), the balance is great (no neck dive), and I've played the snot out of it since it was finished. Has been able to handle everything I throw at it. I love mine and will keep it forever.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

I have never sold an instrument. The thought makes me slightly uncomfortable.

You can give it away, if you prefer so

 

[ex-250]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

If it's something you plan on keeping forever, then go for it. 3 of my guitars are parts or a kit. One of them is a Precision Guitars Kits SG Jr and I shared the entire process here. The thread is still somewhere in this room. It came out so much better than I had anticipated. One word that you must live and breathe during the process......... patience.

I have the process of mine with photos on my web site too. http://www.erikhansen.net/pgksgjr.php

I gotta tell ya, the guitar SCREAMS! The action is fantastic (did my own setup), the balance is great (no neck dive), and I've played the snot out of it since it was finished. Has been able to handle everything I throw at it. I love mine and will keep it forever.

Yours is how I first learned about them, actually. This idea has been brewing (festering?) in my head since you posted about yours.

Re: Joneser/Jeff- Whenever I buy anything its always with the intention of keeping it forever. The thing pushing me to sell some stuff now is changing tastes. I just don't use floating trems anymore, so I'm having a much easier time justifying selling those guitars. Especially when I want to acquire something else and lack the current funds.
I don't at all view doing a kit as having a product "worth" (financially) the sum of its parts. But I want more experience in building and want an SG Jr, and have done for a good while. I utterly lack the woodworking tools/machinery to do an actual scratch build, and will likely have to buy stuff even for this, but I think its the right place for me to start.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

Gorgeous guitar, and I wish you the very best of luck with it, but the only real obstacle i see is that Ive been trying to sell a bunch of stuff myself (Craigslist & Ebay), and apart form very limited success, almost nothing is moving at anything close to its real market value. I hate to say were in a slump, but dang sure ain't no Boom.

 

[T ROCKER]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

I say go for it, but a good suggestion is to find some mahogany planks from a hardwood store , cut some curves and practice some burst techniques , as well as sanding and finishing, just so you know exactly what you are in for. It might seem like a waste of time, money and energy, but you'll know if you are able to pull off what you have in mind color-wise. Also , like Erik says: patience , which entails being properly prepared.

Precision guitars now have a YouTube channel with easy to follow tutorials on how to properly finish a kit , as well as applying a burst. I can guarantee you'll wind up with something worth more than $200 ... The quality of the wood alone is worth the price of admission. I might not be able to turn around and sell the LP style kit I built for the equivalent of the money I put into it (slightly less than a grand, all told) but I wouldn't trade it for 'real' Gibson with a price tag worth 3 times that. There is something intangible and awesome about building a SUPER nice set-neck guitar yourself .....

 

[ex-250]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

Yeah I was planning on buying some scrap mahogany and testing paint. Got to spend my time waiting for guitars to sell somehow...

Didn't know about the tutorial vids, I'll definitely check those out (as well as likely buying some Erlewine literature or something of the sort)

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Strongly considering selling a bunch of guitars and doing this build (kit)

Trans Blk

.02