anyone built a electric guitar from a kit ??

[manning1]

i thought it might be fun.
any recommended electric kits ??
what about for 12 string electric ?? any kits ??
cheers.

[FFTT]

I know several people who have done this and the results can be quite rewarding
so long as you have the patience to see it through.

The benefit is being able to choose exactly the type of neck contour and body shape you want, exotic woods, inlays, the finest electronics and the best hardware.

The tricky part is the set-up and finishing.

http://www.warmoth.com/
http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...itarParts.html

[octatonic]

I've done quite a few now.

My best advice is to start by simply buying an unfinished neck and body and building from there.
You really don't want to have to cut the body and the neck/fret slots your first time out.

I'd actually suggest getting a pre-fretted neck to start with.
It will be tricky enough to simply do a fret level if you haven't done one before- let alone the rest of it.

I did I Telecaster first.

Either start with Ebay and get your parts there or go to Allparts, Stewmac or Warmoth and order what you want.

Some essential tools/items:

Fret files
Nut Files
The usual screwdrivers and pliers
A flat surface to work on- ideally one that is perfectly level (ie with a spirit level).
A high quality bandsaw.
A high quality router.
Fretboard radius sanding blocks from stewmac
This: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Building_and_repair:_Guitar,_electric/Guitar_Player_Repair_Guide.html

When it comes to finishing the guitar you want to lightly dust the guitar with lacquer- enough to cover it, but not enough for it to run.
I've always applied 6 coats one day (usually with 30 mins in between each coat), left it to dry overnight and then 6 the next day and then leaving it alone for a week or more.
Then sanding with 400, 600, 800 grit.
Then sanding with 1000+ wet/dry grit and go up from there.
Once you get to 1500 you are basically just polishing- then finish with an auto swirl remover.

Finishing isn't awfully difficult if you are methodical.

I would highly recommend buying wood scraps to start on. It might sound laborious but it is going to be much better to make mistakes on a worthless piece of wood than haved to strip your project back and start again.

Any questions, please ask me- I'm not the best guitar builder in the world by any stretch of the imagination but if I can help I will.

[manning1]

hey thanks chaps....nice info.
kudos.

yep the more i research it....
the more i wonder if i'm up to it.

i just saw a dean evo guitar at music123. 99 buks ??
looks kinda nice. so its started me wondering if i should get something like that n customise it.

very very good points jim. cheers.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by manning1

yep the more i research it....
the more i wonder if i'm up to it.

i just saw a dean evo guitar at music123. 99 buks ??
looks kinda nice. so its started me wondering if i should get something like that n customise it.

very very good points jim. cheers.

No worries,

I started by setting up and repairing my own guitars, then started (under)charging people to do the odd guitar and amp repair.
I just went further each time- at the same time going into keyboards, desks.
I was a regular fixture at a few guitar shops and just kept pestering (politely) the techs- buying them 6 packs from time to time kinda helps- it all depends on how curious you are and how you approach problems.

I probably don't suggest jumping in at the deep end unless you are extremely tenacious.
I probably would have become quite discouraged and then thrown the tools down in a huff.

Maybe buy a completely finished neck and body, get some pickups, string ferrules, machine heads, pickguard and all that and put it together.
You'll still feel like you've accomplished something (because you have) but it won't be so difficult that you give up.

Have you ever setup a guitar?
Done a truss rod adjustment?
Installed a pickup?
Repaired an output jack?

If not then don't try a new build- do these first, a lot and then give it a go afterwards.

One more thing- buy a good soldering iron- one with variable temperature.
I use an $80 Radioshack one. It doesn't have to be hugely expensive- but have a few different sized tips... and some flux (helps the solder to take).

Jim