To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

If you can, do a "half-kit," like I am doing.

I ordered a neck from USACG, which is more perfect than I have the space to state, and I built the body out of a slab of mahogany I ordered from USACG for less than a hundred bucks, shipped.

Neck was $250, body blank was $85.

You can make it work with basically a router and sandpaper.

You know, if you are inclined to have a true custom without coughing up the big pricetag most people end up with when they go Warmoth.
you have t oreally want to go cheap if you want to go cheap. I didn't want to go cheap, I wanted to get set up for a lifetime of woodworking, so I spent a small fortune on specialty tools.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

^ one more reason to let the pros, craftsmen, and factory workers handle it.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

Good points all around.

Kits have some allure at first, but really, you can't actually say "I built it," and you can't be sure that it will play / sound good, so kits really are the worst of both worlds.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

Re: Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

I'd offer to build templates for and route any shape ye want into a body blank.

'Twouldn't be free, though - template building is detailed work. I'd require ye to send along a bottle of yer finest grog, with the seal unbroken.

Hunter
MFCEO, Phinn Guitars

This is a fine idea. Fine indeed.

I need to source a nice piece o lumber.

(p.v.m.u.t.)

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

If it be 16" x 13" x 1.75", she be fit fer guitarrin.

This thread has activated me pirate voice, ya see. Turnin' it off, 'twould be folly at this point, ya see.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

r

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

I reckon i could screw or glue a neck onto a body though.

Like i say, if you want custom features you can't go with a mass produced guitar. If you go custom, with a good company, you pay a LOT of money.

If you're the sort of guy who likes a variety of guitars... one with single coils, one with humbuckers, one normal scale and one baritone, one semi-hollow, one alder and one mahogany, etc... then it is often not practical to have each instrument made by Suhr or whoever.

Warmoth allows people to make custom guitars for a reasonable price.

I agree with Mattt. I'm not set in my ways when it comes to guitars and gear. It's actually quite the opposite. I have a very diverse taste in music, which usually translates to a very diverse taste in gear. Sure the "do everything" type gear is nice and having versatility is cool, but I'm at a point in my life that I don't want to, or have to settle for setups like that. So I'm not! But being left handed complicates that a lot. I'm not complaining about it, it's just a fact of life for me now.

When you consider the amount of gear right handed people have at their finger tips and still have trouble getting what they want in an off the shelf guitar, lefty's really get the shaft. To combat this, we take more risks in getting what we want exactly. That's why I'm thankful for places like Warmoth, USACG, Musikraft, PVX, KNE, etc... They all make a quality product available for lefty's. In the case of a Strat, I have pretty specific requirements and neither MIM or US built Strats will ever get there. The neck profile is just all wrong for me.

When it comes to taking a gamble on the woods or it being a total dud. To be completely fair, I've seen, heard, played, and owned several guitars over the last 20 years. Some top shelf stuff and some bargain basement gear. In that time, I've maybe came across 5 or so guitars that were just complete garbage all around. Most guitars, even if they don't have the best wood, hardware, electronics, all have some kind of redeeming quality to them.

Some people set their bar quite high, and that's perfectly fine. Others take what they can get and make it work for them. It's all relative, and it's all about making and enjoying music. Even if that means coming from a kit or Fender, Gibson, Suhr, PRS, custom shop.

 

[leftyjay360]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

Good points all around.

Kits have some allure at first, but really, you can't actually say "I built it," and you can't be sure that it will play / sound good, so kits really are the worst of both worlds.

Not if you do your studies on the holy web. I'm a Carvin fanboy and the kits intrigued me. Never done remotly close before beside painting walls (hish!).

Everyone at the carvin board was raving about the kits. People there tend to be mostly objective about gear, including the Carvin gear.

Here's the result :

with his Carvin friends

And this is my best sounding guitar, hands down (I own a Gibson SG too...and a Vantage. But who cares about the Vantage anyway)

 

[PVogt]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

9Finger,
Just let me know if I can help.
Best Regards,
Paul
PVXGuitars

 

[donahue]

Re: To kit, or not kit? That is the question.

I say do it. You've wanted to for a long time. You're not dumb. It won't turn out bad. And if the wood ends up being bad, but the feel is good, throw some actives in lol.